Man Threatens Crew On Flight To Newark: ‘I Will Break Your Jaw’

NEWARK, NJ — Police arrested an airplane passenger who allegedly threatened crew members, banged on a cockpit door, harassed a disabled juvenile and mocked Jewish passengers during a flight to Newark on Sunday, authorities said.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Luis A. Vaquero, 27, of Passaic County, was arrested after an incident aboard an airplane traveling from Florida to New Jersey.

Here’s what happened about the three-hour flight, prosecutors alleged:

“On February 9, 2025, shortly after taking off on a flight from Miami, Florida, Vaquero began threatening and harassing various passengers, including making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers. Vaquero also threatened a flight crew member who declined to serve Vaquero alcohol after the beverage service window closed, telling her, ‘You better watch out, s*** is gonna happen to you.’”

The threatening behavior continued after the plane touched down, prosecutors said:

“Upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, flight attendants alerted law enforcement. After hearing the announcement that the airplane was awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, Vaquero forced his way to the front of the plane and began banging on the flight deck door, demanding, ‘I need the pilot to come outside!’ When a flight attendant attempted to intervene, Vaquero yelled, ‘I will really break your f****** jaw n****!’ Vaquero also yelled, ‘I wanna see that f****** captain! Come outside you bitch ass n****!’ When the captain emerged, Vaquero continued to make threats to the captain while six inches from his face until law enforcement intervened.”

Vaquero was charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. He appeared in Newark federal court and was released, prosecutors said Monday.

The charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, prosecutors said.

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