Philadelphia Woman Charged After Video Captures Outburst with Pants Down on Plane

A Philadelphia woman, identified as Dulce Huertas, aged 60, has been charged with multiple federal crimes after assaulting a flight attendant and making threats to kill passengers on a Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando to Philadelphia. The charges include interfering with a flight crew, simple assault, and indecent exposure. According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, the incident occurred on Flight 4944 as it was preparing to land at Philadelphia International Airport on November 20.

The complaint outlines that the altercation began when Huertas got up from her seat to use the bathroom, and a flight attendant instructed her to remain seated. In response, Huertas reportedly shouted and cursed at the flight attendant. Later, after the plane arrived at the gate and the seatbelt sign was turned off, Huertas resumed her aggressive behavior, pushing passengers out of the way as she moved to the front of the plane.

A video shot by a passenger and provided to WPVI-TV captures the woman in the aisle, apologizing to everyone on board and then pulling her pants down in a gesture suggesting she was about to urinate. The footage shows passengers gasping in shock, and Huertas subsequently pulled her pants back up. After the plane landed, Huertas allegedly continued to yell, curse, and threaten to kill multiple passengers while attempting to get past a flight attendant.

Huertas now faces charges of interfering with a flight crew, simple assault, and indecent exposure. If convicted, she could be sentenced to a maximum of 21 years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $355,000 fine. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Air Marshal Service, with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. The incident raises concerns about the safety and security of air travel and highlights the need for stringent measures to address disruptive behavior on flights.

Frontier Airlines, the airline involved in the incident, has not provided a statement regarding the incident. The charges against Huertas underscore the serious consequences individuals may face when engaging in disruptive and threatening behavior during air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has seen a significant increase in unruly passenger incidents in recent years, prompting authorities to take strong action against those who violate aviation safety regulations. The safety of passengers and crew remains a top priority, and incidents like these underscore the importance of maintaining a secure and orderly environment during air travel.