Raul Ramos Tamayo Faces Up To 20 Years in Prison

A 31-year-old Frontier Airlines passenger is facing up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine after allegedly punching an aircraft’s window so hard that it cracked. Other passengers intervened to restrain him until the plane landed.

Raul Ramosw Tamayo was travelling on Frontier Flight 4856 from Denver International Airport (DEN) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on February 4. Around 20 minutes after departure, Tamayo tried out some light flirting with the woman seated in front of him. When she didn’t respond, Tamayo decided to take his frustrations out on an innocent window.

The passenger allegedly began hitting the seat in front of him and, after being approached by the flight crew, repeatedly punched the window in his row. He managed to crack the first layer of glass and, obviously, injure his hand in the process.

Crewmembers were unsure how best to resolve the situation and asked if there were any law enforcement authorities or able-bodied passengers on board to assist. Many passengers responded and used anything they could find, including shoestrings, belts, and headphones, to construct makeshift restraints.

The flight touched down in Houston at around 11:10 pm. Police officers met the aircraft at the gate and pulled the passenger aside for questioning. Frontier Airlines opted not to press charges.

The passenger was identified as 31-year-old Cuban national Raul Ramos Tamayo. He is already in custody for “unrelated charges,” the DOJ stated, and is now facing up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities. Tamayo will make his initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho on March 3.

“When the public flies, they need to feel confident that they are doing so under safe conditions,” explained US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Given the fact that greater Houston has two major international airports, with tens of millions of travelers a year, the Southern District of Texas is always ready to prosecute those that endanger the safety of passengers.”

FMI: www.justice.gov