A Leominster, Massachusetts man was sentenced for attempting to open an emergency exit door and attacking a flight attendant during a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston. Francisco Severo Torres, 35, received a sentence of time served—about 26 months in prison—and five years of supervised release. As part of his supervised release, Torres is barred from flying on commercial aircraft.
Torres pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon. He was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport in March 2023 and indicted by a federal grand jury later that year.
The incident occurred on March 5, 2023. According to court documents, about 45 minutes before landing, the cockpit received an alarm indicating that a starboard side door between first class and coach had been disarmed. A flight attendant discovered the door’s locking handle partially moved toward the unlocked position and the emergency slide arming lever set to “disarmed.” The crew secured the door and notified the captain.
Another flight attendant reported seeing Torres near the door and suspected he had tampered with it. When confronted, Torres questioned whether cameras had recorded him doing so. The captain was informed that Torres posed a threat and should land as soon as possible.
Shortly after this exchange, Torres left his seat and approached two flight attendants standing near the same door. One attendant saw him mouthing words they could not hear. Passenger video captured Torres yelling threats such as “kill every man on this plane” and “I’m taking over this plane.” He then attacked one of the attendants with a broken metal spoon, striking their neck area three times before passengers subdued him with help from crew members.
Passengers later told investigators that prior to takeoff, Torres asked another passenger about safety card details regarding the location of door handles and was seen pacing in a galley before carrying out his attack.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum prosecuted the case.
