A woman has been taken into custody after being accused of throwing coffee at an airport worker and then labeling the staff member a ‘liar.’ Beatriz Rapoport de Campos Maia was arrested at Miami International Airport alongside her fiancé, Rafael Seirafe-Novaes, following an incident where they allegedly tried to board a flight unlawfully. The dispute escalated when the couple was alleged to have thrown coffee at an airport employee during a scuffle. However, in a recent interview with CBS News Miami, Maia refuted these claims, stating, “Nobody threw coffee. The coffee fell.”
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Defending their actions, Maia emphasized that the accusations made against them were false, with Seirafe-Novaes affirming that they would not have engaged in such behavior. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office reported that the couple had attempted to bypass security measures to board a flight bound for Cancún, leading to a confrontation that required intervention from law enforcement personnel. Video footage capturing the altercation shows multiple officers trying to restrain Seirafe-Novaes, with one suspect being accused of tossing coffee at an airport staffer during the altercation.
Following the altercation, both Maia and Seirafe-Novaes faced charges of battery and trespassing on property after being warned, with Seirafe-Novaes also charged with resisting arrest. The disruption caused by the incident resulted in a delay to American Airlines Flight 2494 to Mexico. The airline’s spokesperson expressed their commitment to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation, stressing that acts of violence are not tolerated within their premises.
Engaging in violence at an international airport constitutes a federal offense, attracting severe penalties such as a fine of up to $250,000 and a maximum of 20 years in prison, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Justice. American Airlines, in response to the incident, underscored their zero-tolerance policy towards violent behavior and assured their cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Despite Maia and Seirafe-Novaes denying the allegations post their release from custody, authorities are continuing to look into the matter to assess the full extent of the incident.
The episode at Miami International Airport serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to air travel regulations and maintaining decorum within airport premises to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff. As investigations unfold, it is crucial for all parties involved to cooperate fully to establish a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as additional details emerge surrounding the circumstances leading to the couple’s arrests and the subsequent disruption to the flight operations.