By: Richard L. Smith
A Passaic County man has been arrested for threatening flight attendants, passengers, and the flight crew during a flight from Miami, an incident that escalated to him banging on the cockpit door and demanding to confront the pilot, federal prosecutors announced.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Luis A. Vaquero, 27, of Passaic County, New Jersey, was taken into custody upon arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport after an aggressive outburst mid-flight. 
He has been charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation and appeared before Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court before being released.
The incident took place on February 9, 2025, shortly after takeoff. Court documents reveal that Vaquero harassed multiple passengers, including making threats of physical violence against a disabled minor and directing offensive remarks at a group of Jewish passengers.
The situation escalated further when he turned his aggression toward a flight crew member who had denied him alcohol after beverage service had ended.
At that point, he allegedly threatened the attendant, saying, “You better watch out, shit’s gonna happen to you.”
As the flight prepared to land in Newark, flight attendants alerted law enforcement, prompting an announcement that police would be waiting upon arrival.
At that moment, Vaquero forced his way to the front of the aircraft, pounded on the cockpit door, and demanded, “I need the pilot to come outside!” When a flight attendant attempted to intervene, he allegedly responded with an explicit threat: “I will really break your f***in’ jaw, n***a!” He continued yelling racial slurs, demanding the captain come out, and shouting, “I wanna see that f***in’ captain! Come outside, you b***h ass n***a!”
When the captain finally emerged, Vaquero reportedly got within six inches of his face, continuing to make threats until law enforcement intervened and took him into custody.
Federal authorities condemned the behavior and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining safety in the skies. Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna stated, “The defendant is charged with threatening flight crew members and passengers while traveling to Newark. We are committed to keeping the skies safe for flying and will prosecute those who criminally interfere with the professionals responsible for ensuring passenger safety.”
The FBI also weighed in, with Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly emphasizing the severity of the situation. “Over the course of a three-hour flight, we allege Vaquero lost his temper and physically harassed not only the crew and captain but also passengers—including a disabled minor.
It all culminated in a terrifying attack and an attempted breach of the flight deck. The harrowing flight and other similar incidents onboard airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members.” 
The FBI issued a warning to others who might consider similar behavior: “If you interfere with the safety of a flight, you’re breaking federal law, and you will be brought to justice.”
Vaquero faces serious legal consequences, as the charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.