Burbank Man Sentenced for Airline Violations

ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that a Burbank, Illinois man has been sentenced for interfering with a flight from Houston to Chicago. Reynel Alcaide was sentenced to 10 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution of $7,013.

According to court documents, on May 8, 2011, Reynel C. Alcaide of Burbank, Illinois, boarded Continental flight 546 in Houston, Texas, destined for Chicago, Illinois. After the flight had taken off and was en route to Chicago, Alcaide exited his seat and moved up the aisle toward the front of the aircraft. A flight attendant unsuccessfully attempted to stop Alcaide, as he pinned the attendant against the wall and repeatedly attempted to unlatch and open the exterior door of the aircraft in mid-flight. Alcaide was eventually subdued by passengers and crew members. As a result of his actions, Continental flight 546 was diverted to St. Louis.

Alcaide, 34, pled guilty last December to one felony count of interference with flight crew members and attendants and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Ross.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Airport Police and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Drake handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.