A case that’s been in the works for over a year now finally has a verdict as a woman who assaulted an airline employee is to spend 15 months behind bars for her actions, as well as a few other punishments.
What began as a story of a passenger punching a flight attendant turned into a months-long court battle, and ended with a hefty sentence.
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In May 2021, a woman punched a flight attendant in the face, breaking three of her teeth.
Vyvianna Quinonez was a passenger aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Sacramento to San Diego, California. She grew violent after being asked to buckle her seatbelt, stow her tray table, and put her facemask during the plane’s final descent.
She instigated an altercation with the flight attendant asking her to perform these tasks, causing “serious injuries”.
She also caught the whole thing on camera.
Quinonez began recording the flight attendant before she stood up and became physical. After that, it was an onlooker’s footage that captured the rest of the fight, showing other passengers trying to get the two apart.
It’s been an ongoing case ever since.
Quinonez was originally apprehended by police and arrested. She was officially charged with assault and interfering with a flight crew some months later.
During these reports, it was confirmed that the flight attended she assaulted lost two of her teeth and suffered other facial injuries that required stitches.
Now she’s back in the news for the latest escalation.
Quinonez has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for her actions. She was also ordered to pay almost $26,000 in restitution as well as a $7,500 fine.
She is prohibited from flying for three years, will be on supervised release when her 15 months is up, and must participate in anger management classes.
Officials are hoping people will take this as a warning.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy said in a statement that this sentence should, “send a very strong message to air travelers – the FBI will vigorously pursue anyone who assaults or interferes with flight crews.”
h/t: USA Today
