On September 6, 2016, at approximately 12:43 a.m., Gomez boarded jetBlue flight 745 originating from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, New York and terminating in Mercedita International Airport (PCE) in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Sometime during mid-flight, passengers saw her igniting two blankets with a lighter.
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She was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation when the plane landed in the southern coastal town of Pone, at the Mercedita International Airport. It’s unclear the motive behind the attempted fires.
It was not immediately clear if Gomez had an attorney.
Arrested upon arrival at the Mercedita Airport in Puerto Rico, Gomez faces up to 25 years in prison for destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities if she’s found guilty. JetBlue officials said they wouldn’t comment on the incident while an investigation was now ongoing.
USA federal regulators allow passengers to carry one lighter in their carry-on baggage.
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JetBlue said the incident was under investigation and wouldn’t comment further on the matter, according to The Sun.
