Cherruy Loghan Sevilla, 24, pleaded guilty in federal court for assaulting United Airlines flight attendants last year and now faces up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities stated that on October 4, 2022, Sevilla was on board United Airlines Flight 2116 as he flew from Miami International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport. About an hour into the flight, Sevilla began behaving in an erratic and disruptive manner. It was reported that he smashed a toilet door, ransacked the aircraft while yelling curses, and pushed at the cockpit door.

Sevilla disobeyed the flight attendant’s request to sit down and positioned himself on the floor in the aisle of the aircraft as they prepared to land. A flight attendant was assaulted by the defendant, who grabbed and twisted her right breast.

The defendant was taken down by a passenger, another flight attendant, and a law enforcement officer on board. The second flight attendant’s arm was twisted during the struggle.

The offensive passenger kept screaming while being restrained by multiple individuals, including an air marshal, as the aircraft touched down at Dulles airport. He allegedly admitted to using the psychedelic psilocybin at the Miami airport before boarding the plane. He also said that he was sorry for his actions. 

If Sevilla is convicted on April 21, 2023, the maximum punishment is 20 years in prison. For federal offenses, actual sentences are frequently less severe than the maximum punishments. The punishment will be decided by a federal district court judge after considering the US guidelines for sentencing and other legal considerations.