Cuban national charged after alleged assault on TSA officers at Las Vegas airport

Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney - U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney - U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
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A Cuban national residing in Las Vegas, Jhon Raul Vizcaino Ramirez, appeared in court following an incident at Harry Reid International Airport. According to the indictment, on November 3, 2025, Ramirez attempted to enter a secure passenger boarding area using a boarding pass under another person’s name and refused to show identification. When a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer declined to return the boarding pass, Ramirez allegedly slapped the officer.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the disturbance at the checkpoint. During their attempt to detain Ramirez, he resisted arrest, reportedly kicking an officer twice and also kicking a TSA officer assisting with his detention.

Ramirez faces two counts of interference with security screening personnel, two counts of assault or resisting or impeding persons assisting certain officers or employees, and one count of entry by false pretenses into a secure airport area. His jury trial is scheduled for February 9, 2026, before United States District Chief Judge Andrew P. Gordon.

Authorities stated that Ramirez was first found by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol near Yuma, Arizona on October 27, 2022 after illegally entering from Mexico. He was released due to lack of detention space and has remained in the country since then. Following his recent arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on him; he will be transferred to ICE custody after federal criminal proceedings conclude.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah and Acting Special Agent in Charge Nicole Pfeiffer from TSA Investigations’ San Francisco Field Division announced the charges. The investigation involved TSA Investigations with support from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tina Snellings is prosecuting the case.

“An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”



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