Honduran man arrested after claiming United flight had bomb

A 34-year-old man was arrested in New Orleans after telling flight attendants on a United Airlines jet that he had a bomb aboard.

Rony Gomez-Alberto began acting irrationally at 11:20 p.m. on United flight 2174, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The plane was traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans and carried 46 passengers and six crew members. Gomez-Alberto told the crew he had a bomb and attempted to enter the cockpit, the Department of Homeland Security stated.

The aircraft landed safely at Louis Armstrong International Airport. All passengers and crew exited the plane and proceeded to the terminal. Gomez-Alberto was arrested without incident and transported to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Deputies booked him on charges of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also placed a detainer on his record.

Homeland Security identified Gomez-Alberto as a “criminal illegal alien” from Honduras. His criminal history includes felony bomb threat, felony threat, terroristic state offenses, and disorderly conduct. He has been removed from the United States twice and was released a third time by a judge while removal proceedings remained pending.

The flight crew reported the incident to authorities upon landing. Gomez-Alberto remained in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center following his booking.