Man alleged to have attempted to shatter plane window mid-flight faces charges

HOUSTON – A 31-year-old Cuban national who was on a flight bound for Houston has been charged with destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Raul Ramos Tamayo is currently in custody on unrelated charges and is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho at 2 p.m. March 3. 

On Feb. 4, Tamayo was aboard Frontier Airlines flight 4856 from Denver, Colorado, according to the charges. Approximately 30 minutes after departure, Tamayo allegedly began punching the seat in front of him. 

The charges allege that when flight crew members approached him, Tamayo then began striking the window in his row with his fists, causing damage to the window. 

The flight crew allegedly asked for assistance from any law enforcement officers or able-bodied passengers. Several responded, according to the criminal complaint originally filed in the case. They then allegedly placed him in flex cuffs the airline had on board.   

“When the public flies, they need to feel confident that they are doing so under safe conditions,” said 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.”

If convicted, Tamayo faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. 

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Schammel is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.