Alamdar Hamdani U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Cuban national has been charged with destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities after an alleged incident on a flight to Houston. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the charges against 31-year-old Raul Ramos Tamayo, who is currently in custody on unrelated charges.
Tamayo is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho on March 3. The charges stem from an incident on February 4 aboard Frontier Airlines flight 4856 from Denver, Colorado. According to the allegations, about 30 minutes after takeoff, Tamayo began punching the seat in front of him and subsequently struck the window in his row with his fists, causing damage.
The flight crew sought assistance from law enforcement officers or able-bodied passengers onboard. Several passengers responded and helped restrain Tamayo using flex cuffs provided by the airline.
U.S. Attorney Ganjei emphasized the importance of safety for air travelers, stating, “When the public flies, they need to feel confident that they are doing so under safe conditions.” He noted that with two major international airports serving tens of millions of travelers annually, the Southern District of Texas is prepared to prosecute those who threaten passenger safety.
If convicted, Tamayo could face up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The FBI conducted the investigation into the incident, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Schammel is handling the prosecution.
It is important to note that an indictment is a formal accusation and not evidence of guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process.
