Cuban Hijacker Released by Federal Judge After 20 Years in US Prison

Michael Gerra Morales, a Cuban criminal who hijacked a plane from Cuba to Florida in 2003, was released from US custody after serving 20 years in prison. Morales was arrested by immigration authorities in December 2025 while awaiting deportation, but on July 8, Federal Judge John Steele ordered his release, citing excessive detention time. The Department of Homeland Security criticized the decision, stating that the judge forced ICE to release an illegal immigrant with a criminal record who had been sentenced to 22 years for aircraft hijacking.

On March 19, 2003, Morales and five other Cubans boarded a passenger plane in Cuba. During the flight, they took control of the aircraft using knives and forced the pilot to land in Key West, Florida. Morales was convicted of air piracy and conspiracy to interfere with a flight crew and sentenced to prison. He is now under supervision as ICE continues efforts to complete his deportation process.