A United Airlines passenger accused of storming the cockpit and claiming to have a bomb, triggering a hijack alert, is an illegal immigrant from Honduras
Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, 34, was arrested after a midair scare on a United Airlines flight.
Gomez-Alberto allegedly claimed to have a bomb and attempted to storm the cockpit, prompting a security alert.
The flight from Newark to New Orleans landed safely, with no reported injuries, and law enforcement arrested the suspect.
Gomez-Alberto is a Honduran national previously deported twice from the U.S., said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
NEW: DHS confirms to @FoxNews that a suspect arrested on a Newark to New Orleans United flight last night for allegedly storming the cockpit and claiming to have a bomb, leading to United putting out a hijack alert for the plane, is a 2x previously deported Honduran illegal alien.
Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto was arrested by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office once the flight landed at MSY (New Orleans airport) and he has been charged with felony bomb threat, terroristic threats, and disorderly conduct.
Per DHS – Gomez-Alberto crossed the Texas border illegally in 2011 and was deported, then illegally re-entered through the New Mexico border in 2014 and was deported a second time. He illegally re-entered the country a third time in 2019, was arrested by Border Patrol, but was released from custody after an immigration judge ordered his release.
He is currently being held without bond by law enforcement in Louisiana.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 11, 2026
Security alert
According to the DHS, Gomez-Alberto entered the U.S. illegally three times and faced deportation.
He was previously detained in New York before the incident on United Airlines.
Following his arrest in Louisiana, charges were filed including false arson communication and terrorising.
DHS confirmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer for Gomez-Alberto’s transfer to federal custody.
The incident follows a similar case on a Flydubai flight involving cockpit security concerns.
