United flight bomb threat suspect identified, deported twice before judge ordered his release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: A Honduran national accused of claiming to have a bomb aboard a United Airlines flight and attempting to reach the cockpit has been identified as a man who was previously deported from the United States twice, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, 34, was arrested after United Flight 2174 landed at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Monday night, November 9. The flight was travelling from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans with 46 passengers and six crew members on board.
According to DHS, Gomez-Alberto had been apprehended by Border Patrol on three separate occasions after attempting to enter the US illegally. He was deported following two of those encounters, while his third arrest eventually led to his release from immigration custody.
TWICE-DEPORTED ILLEGAL ALIEN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED BOMB THREAT Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto allegedly attempted to storm the cockpit of a United flight while claiming to have a bomb, prompting a hijack alert. Americans should NEVER have to face threats like this, especially from an illegal alien who should never have been in our country in the first place. Under President Trump, the safety of American citizens will ALWAYS come first. The men and women of ICE will continue working around the clock to MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) November 11, 2026
Suspect allegedly claimed he had a bomb aboard the flight
Gomez-Alberto allegedly told flight crew members that he had a bomb and attempted to approach the cockpit during the journey, according to reports cited by the New York Post.
The incident prompted the pilots to issue a hijacking alert. Air traffic control audio reportedly captured authorities discussing how the passenger had been persuaded to move towards the rear of the aircraft, allowing the flight to continue safely.
“He changed into all black before he started trying to reach the cockpit,” authorities were heard saying in the audio recording.
The aircraft landed safely at approximately 11:15 pm, and law enforcement officers arrested Gomez-Alberto after it reached the airport.
United Airlines confirmed that Flight 2174 had landed safely following a disruptive incident involving a passenger. The airline said law enforcement met the aircraft upon arrival.
DHS says migrant was deported twice before returning to US
A DHS spokesperson told the New York Post that Gomez-Alberto was first arrested near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011 and deported. He was apprehended again near Columbus, New Mexico, in October 2014 and removed from the country a second time.
In 2019, Border Patrol arrested him for a third time near San Ysidro, California, following another attempted illegal entry.
However, he was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in January 2020 after an immigration judge ordered his release pending removal proceedings, according to DHS.
Following the latest incident, ICE lodged a detainer with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office on November 10, seeking to take custody of Gomez-Alberto.
Suspect faces charges following United flight incident
Gomez-Alberto was arrested by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office after the aircraft landed. A Local affiliate, FOX8, reported that he was charged with communicating false information about planned arson and terrorizing.
DHS also listed bomb-threat, terroristic-threat and disorderly-conduct offences in its account of his criminal history.
He was being held without bail at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, according to authorities.
No injuries were reported, and all passengers and crew members arrived safely in New Orleans. The circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and the suspect's attempt to approach the cockpit remain under investigation.
