The undisciplined Southwest Airlines passenger who last year attacked a flight attendant and pulled out two teeth was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Vyvianna Quinonez, 29, was also ordered by a federal judge on Tuesday to pay about $ 33,000 in restitution and fines and was banned from flying for three years after being released from a federal jail.
The California woman pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew last year.
On May 23, 2021, Quinonez was asked to unbuckle his seat belt, place his tray on the tray, and put on his mask correctly when a flight from the southwest from Sacramento approached. San Diego.
Instead of complying, the woman started recording the flight attendant on her phone before pushing and punching him and grabbing his hair. The attack was recorded by another passenger.
Vyvianna Quinonez pushed and hit the flight attendant while grabbing her hair. Michelle Manner Quinonez was ordered to pay about $ 33,000 in restitution after the attack. Michelle Manner
The flight attendant suffered three broken teeth, two of which required crowns. He also needed stitches for a cut under his eye, according to Quinonez’s petition agreement.
“Attacks on flight crew members, who perform vital tasks to ensure the safety of passengers, will not be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said in a statement.
Unruly passenger reports from airlines saw a huge increase during the pandemic, as thousands of flyers refused to comply with COVID-19 security precautions.
The flight attendant suffered three broken teeth and stitches from a cut under his eye, according to Quinonez’s guilty plea. Michelle Manner
Of the 5,981 incidents reported by the FAA last year, 4,290 were related to masks.
The Federal Aviation Administration said last month that its “zero tolerance policy” for dealing with rebel passengers will become permanent.
With AP cables