A Cuban citizen remains in federal custody in Nevada following an incident at Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport. This altercation not only led to criminal charges but also places him at risk of being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon the conclusion of his legal proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada has formally charged Jhon Raúl Vizcaíno Ramírez with attempting to enter a secure airport area using a boarding pass not issued in his name and assaulting both Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers.
The incident took place on November 3, 2025, during a pre-boarding security check.
According to the federal indictment, Vizcaíno Ramírez refused to show identification when requested by TSA agents. The situation escalated when an officer withheld his boarding pass, leading to a physical altercation that necessitated police intervention.
During the struggle, the Cuban national resisted arrest and kicked both a police officer and an airport security official involved in his apprehension.
Local media outlets such as Fox 5 Las Vegas and News 3 (KSNV) reported that the accused faces multiple federal charges, including interference with security personnel, assaulting individuals assisting officers in their duties, and fraudulently entering a secure airport area. A jury trial is set for February 9, 2026, before federal Judge Andrew P. Gordon.
Court documents in the case United States v. Vizcaíno Ramírez (2:25-cr-00347) indicate that proceedings are being handled in the District Court of Nevada, with the defendant represented by the Federal Public Defender's Office.
The case file also shows that Vizcaíno Ramírez remains detained while preliminary judicial stages are underway.
This case has a significant immigration component. Federal authorities noted that the Cuban national entered the United States unlawfully in October 2022, crossing the border from Mexico near Yuma, Arizona.
At that time, he was released due to insufficient space in detention centers and has since lived in the country without legal immigration status.
Following his recent arrest, ICE issued an immigration detainer, meaning that once federal criminal charges are resolved, Vizcaíno Ramírez could be transferred to immigration custody to face possible deportation proceedings. Judicial officials confirmed to Fox 5 Las Vegas that his immigration status will be reviewed at the trial's conclusion.
The incident has drawn attention from local media not only because it occurred at a federal facility but also because it reignites the debate over the legal vulnerability faced by many migrants who enter the country without documentation, potentially having their futures determined by the intersection of criminal and immigration systems.
According to U.S. law, Vizcaíno Ramírez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Key Questions about the Las Vegas Airport Incident
What charges is Jhon Raúl Vizcaíno Ramírez facing?
He faces charges of attempting to access a secure airport area with fraudulent means, assaulting TSA personnel, and interfering with security operations.
How did Vizcaíno Ramírez enter the United States?
He entered the U.S. illegally in October 2022 by crossing the border from Mexico near Yuma, Arizona.
What could happen to Vizcaíno Ramírez after the trial?
Following the resolution of his federal charges, he may be transferred to ICE custody to face potential deportation proceedings.