A Southwest passenger was filmed punching a flight attendant. She was charged with two felonies. [View all]

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Just to be clear, the passenger, not the flight attendant, was charged with two felonies.

Morning Mix

A Southwest passenger was filmed punching a flight attendant. She was charged with two felonies.

By Julian Mark
Today at 6:36 a.m. EDT

As Southwest Flight 700 was making its final descent into San Diego International Airport in May, Vyvianna Quinonez did what airplane passengers are repeatedly told not to do: She pulled down her tray table and unbuckled her seat belt, prosecutors say.

After a flight attendant reminded Quinonez to stow away her tray table, buckle her seat belt and wear her mask properly, Quinonez became defiant, according to a federal complaint filed Wednesday. She pushed the flight attendant, grabbed her hair and repeatedly punched her in the face, the complaint says.

The flight attendant was taken to the hospital after landing. Three of her teeth were chipped, including two that had to be replaced by crowns, prosecutors say. Her left eye was bruised and swollen, and a cut under her eye required four stitches. On her right forearm was a finger-shaped bruise.

Quinonez, 28 at the time of incident, has now been charged with two federal felonies: assault resulting in serious injury and interference with a flight’s crew members and attendants. The first charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, while the second is punishable by as many as 20.

Quinonez has been ordered to appear before a judge on Sept. 17, according to court documents. She initially told authorities she acted in self-defense, the complaint states.

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By Julian Mark
Julian Mark is a reporter on The Washington Post's Morning Mix team. Before joining The Post, he covered housing and policing for Mission Local in San Francisco. Twitter https://twitter.com/badjujusf