Federal officials have filed charges against the man accused of assaulting a flight attendant and trying to escape a Frontier Airlines plane before passengers pinned him down while the plane was en route to Chicago earlier this week. Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, of Chicago, is charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants, and assault within maritime territorial jurisdiction, the U.S.Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Wednesday. Court records obtained by Fox News Digital indicate that roughly 45 minutes after takeoff, Reyes allegedly "became disruptive" as Frontier Airlines Flight 3345 was traveling from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago, Illinois, forcing the pilot to divert to Miami, Florida, on Sunday.GOT A TIP?Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, faces charges of interference with flight crew members and assault within maritime territorial jurisdiction, the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida announced on Wednesday.(Miami-Dade Correctional Center)Police said Reyes allegedly attempted to open the aircraft’s two exit doors in midair before before he assaulted another passenger on the flight.
A flight attendant also told authorities they heard Reyes say he wanted to get off the plane.WOMAN ALLEGEDLY TOUCHES PASSENGERS' FACES THEN PUNCHES ELDERLY TRAVELERS DURING CARIBBEAN FLIGHTJuan Gabriel Reyes is accused of attempting to open two exit doors on a Frontier Airlines airplane traveling from Puerto Rico to Chicago, Ill., on May 31, 2026, according to federal prosecutors.(iStock)Following multiple alleged attempts to open the flight deck door, authorities said Reyes sat down in a seat that was not assigned to him and attacked a 33-year-old off-duty flight attendant who was seated nearby.FOLLOW US ON XAccording to court documents, witnesses told police Reyes lunged at the flight attendant, grabbed him by the head and choked him – which prompted passengers and another flight attendant to restrain Reyes wit...