3 LI Women Attacked JFK Airport Security Officer: Feds

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Three Long Island women have been charged with assaulting an airline security officer at John F. Kennedy International Airport last fall, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Jordan Nixon, 21, of Bay Shore; Janessa Torres, 21, of Central Islip; and Johara Zavala, 44, also of Central Islip were arrested Thursday morning, officials said in a news release.

If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison.

On Sept. 22, 2021, the women allegedly refused to leave a jetway at JFK Airport after they were told they would be denied boarding for a Delta Airlines flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, court documents state.

They allegedly approached the security officer who requested they leave the jetway, and Nixon is accused of tapping him on the head, removing his radio, and striking him repeatedly with it.

When he fell to the floor, all three women allegedly hit and kicked him with their feet and fists, documents state. Torres is accused of stepping on the officer's head and face, causing his upper lip to bleed. He also received blows to his nose, causing it to bleed and swell, officials said.

The security officer attempted to leave to get assistance from the flight crew, at which point the defendants are alleged to have pulled him back by his vest, tearing the vest apart.

Additionally, Zavala allegedly punched an employee in the face who attempted to assist the security officer, documents show.

"As alleged, the defendants viciously assaulted an airline security officer by beating him to the floor with his radio and then kicking and punching him in the face and body while he was down," United States Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. "The extreme and aggressive behavior in connection with our air travel is out of control. This Office has zero tolerance for violent conduct that threatens the safety of airline passengers and employees and will prosecute defendants who allegedly engage in such conduct to the fullest extent of the law."

Nixon, Torres and Zavala ordered approximately nine alcoholic beverages between around 9 a.m. and their flight's scheduled departure at 12:55 p.m., officials said surveillance video and receipts show.

Airport officials determined that the three women should be denied boarding due to their behavior when they arrived at the gate. Two employees noticed Zavala having difficulty walking, and she appeared to be disoriented, officials said.

One worker could smell alcohol on Nixon, and she was holding a cup filled with a beverage that smelled alcoholic, officials said.

They were asked to leave and told they could be rebooked on a later Delta flight the same day, at which point the alleged attack began, according to the DOJ.

"The defendants allegedly attacked two airline employees, who were simply doing their jobs," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. "The friendly skies must not turn into chaos and turmoil because some passengers refuse to abide by the rules. Our airport personnel must be safe in order to keep the flying public safe."