A man who launched an unprovoked mid-air attack on a fellow passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines (AS) flight from Seattle to Las Vegas has pleaded guilty to federal assault charges, closing out a case that stemmed from one of the more unusual in-flight violence incidents of 2024.
Julio Alvarez Lopez entered a guilty plea to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, resolving the case ahead of a scheduled trial, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22, 2026.
The Attack Aboard Flight AS-604
According to Simple Flying, the incident occurred on January 24, 2024, aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 604, a Boeing 737-900(ER) (registration N467AS) that departed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) at 6:10 a.m. bound for Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
About 30 minutes before landing, Lopez left his seat, went to the lavatory, and returned to launch a sudden, unprovoked attack on a passenger seated nearby. Lopez punched and struck the victim before pulling out a homemade weapon — three ink pens bound together with hair bands — and stabbing him around the body and eye area.
Witnesses told investigators there was blood throughout the cabin as the victim’s wife screamed at Lopez to stop; she was also struck while shielding the couple’s seven-year-old child.
Passengers and Crew Restrain the Attacker
After the assault, Lopez moved toward the front of the aircraft, reportedly shouting that he would only speak to the FBI, before taking an empty seat. An off-duty law enforcement officer on board ordered him to sit down, and flight attendants used flex-cuffs to restrain him for the remainder of the flight.
The aircraft landed safely, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers took Lopez into custody at the gate. In a statement to NBC News, Alaska Airlines confirmed the plane landed without further incident and thanked its crew for their handling of the situation.
The victim suffered injuries to his body and eye area that required stitches but survived the attack Notably, NBC News reported the victim — identified in court records only by the initials C.R. — was himself a sworn law enforcement officer, though the complaint did not specify his agency.
Warning Signs Before the Attack
Multiple passengers described Lopez behaving erratically throughout the roughly two-hour flight. Witnesses told investigators he appeared visibly agitated, repeatedly put his gloves on and took them off, and made several trips into his backpack stored in the overhead bin, according to WRGA News, citing the federal complaint. One passenger also noted Lopez avoided eye contact with those around him.
What Lopez Told Investigators
Following his arrest, and after waiving his Miranda rights, Lopez told FBI agents that he had built the weapon before boarding the flight and had intended to kill the victim. He said he selected the victim because he believed the man had been staring at him in a threatening manner, and that he believed — without any prior contact with the victim — that the man was connected to a cartel or organized crime group that had been pursuing him for months.
Lopez admitted he had aimed to stab the victim through the eye in an attempt to reach the brain. He also told investigators he was seeking asylum in the United States at the time of the attack.
Background on the Defendant
Lopez is a Mexican national who was granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States in 2018. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the assault charge before reversing course and entering a guilty plea, closing the case ahead of trial, per the Nevada Globe, which reported that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah confirmed Lopez would remain in federal detention without bail ahead of sentencing.
Sentencing and Next Steps
Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22, 2026. The single federal count of assault with a dangerous weapon carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison. The case was investigated jointly by the FBI, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Flight | Alaska Airlines AS-604, Seattle (SEA) → Las Vegas (LAS) |
| Date of incident | January 24, 2024 |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-900(ER), registration N467AS |
| Defendant | Julio Alvarez Lopez |
| Charge | Assault with a dangerous weapon (one federal count) |
| Weapon | Three pens bound with hair bands |
| Victim injuries | Stitches to body and eye area; survived |
| Plea | Guilty |
| Maximum sentence | 10 years federal prison |
| Sentencing date | September 22, 2026 |
| Investigating agencies | FBI, Federal Air Marshal Service, LVMPD |