DHS says illegal Honduran migrant is accused of trying to storm United cockpit, threatening bomb

The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that an illegal Honduran migrant has been accused of attempting to enter the cockpit of a United Airlines flight after allegedly claiming to have a bomb.

The department told Fox News that Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto was arrested by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office after United Airlines Flight 2174 landed at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Monday night.

Gomez-Alberto allegedly claimed to have a bomb during the flight, prompting the pilots to issue a reported hijacking alert, and he was also accused of attempting to enter the cockpit. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since lodged a detainer for Gomez-Alberto after his arrest.

"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.

United Airlines also confirmed an incident on board the flight but did not provide details.

"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," a United spokesperson said.

The incident comes after Gomez-Alberto was allegedly apprehended and deported twice for being in the country illegally. The first time was in 2011 when he entered the country illegally near El Indio, Texas. 

The second time was in 2014 near Columbus, New Mexico. He was deported both times.

He was arrested a third time in 2019 and released in the U.S. in January 2020.

The migrant has been booked on charges of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing. DHS said he has been charged with bomb threat, terroristic threat and disorderly conduct offenses.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.