A man from Leominster, Massachusetts, has been arrested and charged for trying to open an emergency exit door during a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston.
33-year-old Francisco Severo Torres has been charged with a single count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.
During his bail hearing today, he continued exhibiting bizarre behavior and even made strange comments in the federal court.
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Today, March 9, 2023, Francisco Severo Torres appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Dein. He was detained after being charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.
On March 5, 2023, Francisco Severo Torres was a passenger on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston, according to the charging documents.
According to the flight crew, an alarm in the cockpit detected a disarmed starboard side door between the aircraft’s first class and coach sections approximately 45 minutes before landing.
The flight attendant found that the locking handle of the starboard side door had been partially unlocked, and the emergency slide arming lever had been disarmed.
After securing the door and slide, the flight attendant reported the incident to the captain and flight crew.
Francisco Severo Torres allegedly used a broken metal spoon to stab a flight attendant by thrusting it toward the neck.
The flight attendant was hit three times before passengers intervened and tackled Torres with the help of the flight crew. Upon the flight’s arrival in Boston, Torres was taken into custody.
The crime, if found guilty, is punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
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United Airlines Passenger Francisco Severo Torres Displays Bizarre Behavior in Court
While handcuffed and dressed in prison attire, Torres spoke out in court, invoking religious references before being silenced by Judge Judith G. Dein.
Despite being led out of court for a mental evaluation, Torres continued to make bizarre statements, claiming that God had renamed him and that his new name was Balthazar.
The judge has postponed Francisco Severo Torres’ bail hearing until after he completes a mental health evaluation.
Federal prosecutor Elianna Nuzum told the Telegram and Gazette that Torres’ federal public defender objected to the judge’s order for him to undergo a mental health evaluation, despite indications that he may have mental health issues.
Local Police confirm responding to incidents involving Torres’ mental health and family disputes, while failed lawsuits suggest a prior history of mental health struggles.
According to the Police, he was outside his home in his underwear last year and informed the responding officers that he was protesting climate change.
He went to a local barbershop on February 25 and informed the patrons that he wished to “die tonight at midnight” and hoped to be shot by 12 individuals using an AR-15.
In connection with Sunday’s chaotic incident, Torres is facing a charge of one count of attempting to interfere and interfering with flight crew members and attendants using a deadly weapon.
As per court documents, he reportedly confessed to the authorities that he intended to jump out of the plane and was unconcerned about the potential fatalities it could cause to others.
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