A Honduran illegal immigrant accused of threatening to blow up a United Airlines flight and attempting to breach the cockpit had already been deported from the United States twice, federal officials revealed Tuesday.
The suspect, identified as Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, was arrested after a terrifying midair disturbance aboard United Airlines Flight 2174, which was traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans on Monday night.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Gomez-Alberto had an extensive history of immigration violations before the alleged incident.
He was deported twice, apprehended a third time and eventually released from immigration custody following a judge’s order in 2020.
Now, he is accused of creating a security emergency aboard a commercial aircraft carrying 46 passengers and six crew members.
The Daily Mail reported that Gomez-Alberto allegedly claimed to have a bomb, prompting the pilots to transmit an emergency code associated with unlawful interference.
DHS separately confirmed that the suspect was accused of trying to enter the aircraft’s cockpit.
The Boeing 737 MAX 9 ultimately landed safely at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where law enforcement officers were waiting.
Deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office took Gomez-Alberto into custody following the incident.
A twice-deported illegal alien allegedly claimed he had a bomb and tried to storm the cockpit of a United Airlines flight from Newark to New Orleans, prompting an in-flight hijacking alert.
Authorities identified the suspect as Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, who was deported in 2011 and 2014 and released by an immigration judge in 2020. He was arrested after the plane landed and faces charges of terrorizing and false arson. ICE has placed a detainer as federal investigators consider additional charges.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 11, 2026
Federal immigration officials quickly moved to prevent his release.
“On November 10, 2026, ICE lodged a detainer for Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, with Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after he attempted to gain entry to the cockpit during a flight,” a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
The suspect’s immigration history has since become a central focus of the case.
According to DHS records, Border Patrol first apprehended Gomez-Alberto in September 2011 after he illegally entered the United States near El Indio, Texas.
He was subsequently removed from the country.
But that was not his last encounter with American immigration authorities.
In October 2014, Border Patrol caught him entering illegally near Columbus, New Mexico, resulting in another deportation.
Five years later, Gomez-Alberto was apprehended again following an attempted illegal crossing near San Ysidro, California.
Despite his previous removals, he was released from ICE custody in January 2020 after an immigration judge ordered his release while removal proceedings continued.
DHS did not specify in the statement whether Gomez-Alberto subsequently complied with those proceedings or how he came to board Monday’s flight.
His latest arrest has renewed scrutiny of immigration enforcement decisions involving individuals with repeated border violations.
Local authorities booked Gomez-Alberto on charges of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing, according to reporting citing the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
DHS also referenced bomb-threat, terroristic-threat and disorderly-conduct offenses in its account of the suspect’s history.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
United Airlines confirmed that the aircraft reached New Orleans safely despite the disturbance.
“United flight 2174 from Newark to New Orleans landed safely following a disruptive incident involving a passenger onboard. Law enforcement met the aircraft upon arrival,” the airline said.
United declined to provide additional details about the passenger’s conduct, referring further questions to local law enforcement.
No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed that an explosive device was found aboard the aircraft.
Meanwhile, ICE’s detainer requests that local authorities notify federal immigration officials before releasing Gomez-Alberto and allow time for immigration agents to assume custody.
The Trump administration has pointed to the incident while reiterating its commitment to removing foreign nationals accused of serious crimes.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the United States,” the DHS spokesperson said.
The case comes amid President Donald Trump‘s renewed emphasis on immigration enforcement and public safety, with federal officials arguing that repeated illegal entries present serious challenges for border security.
For now, Gomez-Alberto remains in custody following the alleged bomb threat and cockpit breach attempt.
