Man accused of trying to open plane door, choking off-duty flight attendant on flight diverted to MIA

MIAMI — A 51-year-old man is accused of choking an off-duty flight attendant aboard a Frontier Airlines flight that authorities say was diverted to Miami International Airport after a series of disturbances in the air that occurred this past weekend.

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It happened around 10:30 p.m. Sunday aboard Frontier Flight 3345, which was traveling from Puerto Rico to Chicago when it was forced to make an emergency landing at MIA, according to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

According to the report, Juan Gabriel Reyes, of Chicago, Illinois, became disruptive during the flight, prompting crew members and passengers to intervene.

Investigators said witnesses told them that Reyes first attempted to open an exit door while the plane was in flight and told others he wanted to leave the plane.

The report states flight attendants stopped him and instructed him to return to his seat.

Deputies said Reyes allegedly ignored those instructions and walked toward the front of the plane, where he attempted to access the cockpit by “placing his hand on the door handle and shoving his shoulder aggressively on the pilot’s door.”

A flight attendant prevented him from gaining access, according to the report.

Investigators said after being allowed to use the restroom, Reyes attempted to urinate on the lavatory floor before being directed to take a seat elsewhere on the plane.

They said an off-duty Frontier flight attendant volunteered to sit in the same row as Reyes after he was relocated.

The report states the off-duty flight attendant later confronted Reyes after being alerted that Reyes was handling his belongings. As the flight attendant reached for his bag, Reyes allegedly grabbed him by the head and began choking him, deputies said.

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According to authorities, several passengers stepped in to help the victim and remove Reyes. Flight attendants and passengers then worked together to restrain him as he resisted, the report states.

The flight was then diverted to MIA, where MDSO deputies boarded the plane and took Reyes into custody.

FBI agents responded to the scene and assumed the federal investigation, according to the report. Authorities said Reyes was advised of his Miranda rights, but invoked them and did not provide a statement.

According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, the case is being prosecuted at the federal level due to jurisdictional considerations.

Jail records show Reyes is facing one state charge of battery along with federal charges that include interference with flight crew members and attendants, and assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.

Authoritiries said a federal criminal complaint has already been filed, and authorities placed a federal hold on Reyes at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He is expected to be transferred to the Federal Detention Center in Miami to face the federal proceedings.

If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Records show his bond is currently set at $20,000.

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