Overview
- About 45 minutes after takeoff on Sunday, May 31, Frontier Flight 3345 from San Juan to Chicago reported a passenger disturbance and diverted to Miami International Airport where officers arrested the man.
- Court records identify the suspect as 51‑year‑old Juan Gabriel Reyes who allegedly tried to open an emergency exit, shoved against the flight‑deck door and then grabbed and choked an off‑duty flight attendant.
- Crew members and multiple passengers restrained Reyes in flight using flex cuffs and seatbelt extenders after he broke free several times, and the plane continued to Chicago several hours later.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida has filed federal charges for interference with flight crew and assault and the FBI is assisting the Miami‑Dade investigation.
- The FAA has logged hundreds of unruly passenger reports this year and can seek civil fines while federal law allows lengthy prison terms for assaults on crew; aircraft doors cannot be opened at cruising altitude because of pressure differentials.