Man Pleads Guilty in United Flight Attack

Francisco Severo Torres, a 34-year-old from Leominster, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to federal charges after attempting to open an emergency exit door and attacking a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston in March 2023. About 45 minutes before landing, crew discovered tampering with the emergency door and identified Torres as responsible. When confronted, Torres asked about the presence of cameras before threatening to kill passengers and take over the plane. He then attacked a flight attendant, striking the neck area three times with the broken spoon. Passengers and crew subdued and restrained Torres, who was taken into custody upon arrival at Boston Logan International Airport. He now faces conviction for interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.