NJ Man Accused Of Threatening Flight Crew And Disabled Child, Mocking Jewish Passengers On Flight

A New Jersey man is facing federal charges for allegedly threatening flight attendants and crew along with a disabled child and “a group of Jewish passengers,” authorities said.

Luis A. Vaquero, 27, is charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced.

Vaquero was on board a flight from Miami, Fla., to Newark, N.J., on Feb. 9 shortly after takeoff when he allegedly began “threatening and harassing” passengers, “including making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers,” prosecutors said.

When a flight attendant refused to serve Vaquero alcohol after the beverage service window closed, he allegedly threatened her, saying, “You better watch out, shits gonna happen to you.”

When the flight landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, flight attendants alerted law enforcement. When the flight crew announced that the plane was waiting for the arrival of police, Vaquero allegedly “forced” his way to the front of the plane and began banging on the flight deck door, shouting, “I will really break your fuckin jaw na!”

Vaquero allegedly yelled, “I wanna see that fin captain! Come outside you bitch ass na!” When the captain came out, Vaquero allegedly continued to make threats “while six inches from [the captain’s] face” until police arrived.

“Over the course of a 3-hour flight, we allege Vaquero lost his temper and physically harassed not only the crew and captain, but passengers, making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passenger,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said in a statement. “It all culminated in a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck when witnesses say he banged on the cockpit door and confronted the pilot. The harrowing flight and other similar incidents onboard airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members. FBI Newark has a warning for those who think it may not be a big deal — they’re breaking federal law, and they will be brought to justice.”

If convicted, Vaquero faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.