Jennifer Rodriguez, a 37-year-old resident of Puerto Rico, has been sentenced to five months in federal prison for interfering with flight attendants by assault and intimidation. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Mizelle after Rodriguez pleaded guilty on July 17, 2025. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Court records indicate that the incident occurred on April 21, 2024, during a commercial flight from Tampa International Airport to San Juan, Puerto Rico. After the aircraft had left the gate, a flight attendant asked Rodriguez multiple times to end her cellphone call. Instead of complying, Rodriguez argued with the crew members.
According to court documents, Rodriguez yelled at the flight attendants and threatened physical violence, including hitting, slapping, "beating up," pulling their hair, and dragging them down the aisle by their scarves. She also interfered with their ability to provide medical assistance to another passenger and disrupted preparations for takeoff.
As a result of her actions, the pilot returned the plane to the gate and all passengers were required to disembark so law enforcement could escort Rodriguez off the aircraft.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Tampa International Airport Police conducted the investigation into this case. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Wheeler III prosecuted it.
