safety
Federal charges filed against man who tried to open exit door during Frontier flight to Chicago
By Sara Tenenbaum at CBS4 Miami
· June 3, 2026
· 2 min read
Federal charges have been filed against a man who had to be restrained after he tried to open the door of a Frontier Airlines plane mid-flight to Chicago.The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Wednesday that Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, of Chicago is charged with interf
Key takeaway Police said during the flight, Reyes tried to open the plane's exit doors in mid-air, saying he wanted to get off the plane.
Why this matters in The Miami
The incident on the Frontier flight from San Juan to Chicago, which made an emergency landing in Miami, raises concerns about the safety and security of air travel through Miami's airports. As a major hub for Latin American and Caribbean communities, Miami's airports handle a significant volume of flights to and from the region, making the city a critical point for ensuring the security of air travel. The fact that the plane was able to make an emergency landing in Miami and that local law enforcement, including the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, was able to respond quickly to take the suspect into custody, highlights the importance of effective collaboration between federal and local authorities in responding to such incidents. The FBI's Miami office is now investigating the incident, which will likely involve reviewing security protocols and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 3, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Federal charges have been filed against a man who had to be restrained after he tried to open the door of a Frontier Airlines plane mid-flight to Chicago.The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Wednesday that Juan Gabriel Reyes, 51, of Chicago is charged with interf
When was this published? This article was first published on June 3, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sara Tenenbaum at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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