A passenger was arrested after a reported bomb threat disrupted United Airlines Flight 2174 to New Orleans, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said ICE later lodged a detainer.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said the 34-year-old passenger told crew members he had a bomb. Deputies arrested him after the plane landed Nov. 9 and booked him on charges of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) logged the plane’s safe arrival at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and said it would investigate. United said law enforcement officers were waiting when the plane arrived, the Associated Press reported. The aircraft was a Boeing 737 Max 9 with 46 passengers and six crew members, according to the AP.
Fox News reported that DHS said ICE lodged a detainer for Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto on Nov. 10, citing an allegation that he tried to enter the cockpit. The outlet also reported DHS said he was removed after apprehensions near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011 and near Columbus, New Mexico, in October 2014. DHS said he was apprehended near San Ysidro, California, in 2019 and released from ICE custody in January 2020 after an immigration judge ordered his release while removal proceedings were pending.
Hindustan Times reported that Gomez-Alberto is from Honduras and was in the United States illegally. The FBI told WDSU that prosecutors in the Eastern District of Louisiana will decide whether to bring a federal case.
EconoTimes previously reported on a separate United flight that returned to Las Vegas after reported hijack messages.
