Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto Arrested After United Airlines Bomb Threat

Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a 34-year-old Honduran national reportedly living in the Bronx, New York, was arrested after allegedly threatening to blow up United Airlines Flight 2174 from Newark to New Orleans on November 9, 2026. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, Gomez-Alberto began acting irrationally and told flight attendants he had a bomb. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) separately alleged that he attempted to enter the aircraft's cockpit. The Boeing 737 MAX 9, carrying 46 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Authorities arrested Gomez-Alberto and charged him with communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing. Federal immigration officials subsequently lodged an immigration detainer.

Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto: Key Facts

What Happened on United Airlines Flight 2174?

United Airlines Flight 2174 was traveling from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana on Monday evening, November 9.

As the aircraft approached its destination, a passenger allegedly became disruptive and told members of the cabin crew that he had a bomb.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office identified the passenger as Gomez-Alberto.

Federal immigration authorities also alleged that he attempted to gain access to the cockpit.

According to published accounts of air traffic control communications, the crew reported a security concern and worked to manage the passenger's behavior while continuing toward New Orleans.

The aircraft landed safely shortly after 11 p.m. local time.

Law enforcement officers were waiting at the airport and took Gomez-Alberto into custody without further incident.

Did Gomez-Alberto Attempt to Enter the Cockpit?

The Department of Homeland Security stated that Gomez-Alberto attempted to enter the cockpit while claiming to possess a bomb.

Several news organizations also reported that the flight crew issued a security alert associated with a possible attempted cockpit breach.

People magazine reported that the incident involved a Level 4 security alert, a classification associated with attempted or actual cockpit intrusion.

However, the publicly available information does not establish that Gomez-Alberto successfully entered the cockpit.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office initially focused its public account on the passenger's disruptive behavior and alleged bomb threat.

Any determination about the precise circumstances of the cockpit incident will depend on the investigation and evidence presented in subsequent proceedings.

Was an Explosive Device Found?

Authorities have not publicly confirmed finding an explosive device aboard United Airlines Flight 2174.

The criminal allegations concern the passenger's reported statement that he possessed a bomb.

The plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported in the initial official accounts.

Although the allegations prompted a law enforcement response, they should not be interpreted as confirmation that a bomb was actually present.

How Was Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto Arrested?

Deputies from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office responded after receiving information about the disturbance aboard the approaching aircraft.

Law enforcement personnel met the plane at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport after it landed.

Passengers and crew were able to disembark, and Gomez-Alberto was arrested without further incident.

He was transported to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Authorities booked him on two Louisiana charges related to the alleged threat.

What Criminal Charges Does Gomez-Alberto Face?

According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, Gomez-Alberto was booked on two charges:

• Communicating false information of planned arson: An allegation involving the communication of false information about a threatened destructive act.
• Terrorizing: An allegation involving threatening conduct or communications under Louisiana criminal law.

The exact facts supporting each charge must be established through the criminal justice process.

The FBI was also informed of the incident.

Federal authorities indicated that the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana would determine whether additional federal charges were appropriate.

As of November 12, 2026, no final criminal judgment or independently verified additional federal indictment was identified in the sources reviewed.

What Did United Airlines Say?

United Airlines confirmed that Flight 2174 experienced a disruptive passenger incident during its journey from Newark to New Orleans.

The airline stated that the flight landed safely and that law enforcement officers met the aircraft upon arrival.

United also confirmed that the plane was a Boeing 737 MAX 9 carrying 46 passengers and six crew members.

The airline referred questions about the criminal investigation to law enforcement authorities.

What Is Known About Gomez-Alberto's Immigration History?

Following the arrest, DHS released information about Gomez-Alberto's previous encounters with US immigration authorities.

The department identified him as a Honduran national who had been removed from the United States twice.

According to DHS, he was first apprehended after entering the United States near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011.

He was removed from the country following that encounter.

In October 2014, Border Patrol apprehended him near Columbus, New Mexico, and he was subsequently removed again.

DHS said he was arrested a third time in 2019 after attempting to enter the country near San Ysidro, California.

In January 2020, he was released from immigration custody following an immigration judge's order while immigration proceedings were pending, according to the department.

These details are based on DHS statements. The complete immigration court record and subsequent case history were not independently established in the sources reviewed.

Why Did ICE Lodge an Immigration Detainer?

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office on November 10, 2026.

An immigration detainer requests that a law enforcement agency notify ICE before releasing an individual and may request a brief additional period of custody to facilitate transfer, subject to applicable legal requirements.

The detainer is separate from the Louisiana criminal proceedings.

It does not establish guilt in the alleged aircraft incident or automatically determine the outcome of immigration proceedings.

Did Gomez-Alberto Have a Previous Criminal Record?

DHS stated that Gomez-Alberto had a history involving bomb-threat, terroristic-threat and disorderly-conduct offenses.

However, the publicly available statements reviewed did not provide a complete set of criminal court records showing the dates, jurisdictions and final dispositions of each reported offense.

Consequently, those claims should be attributed to DHS rather than presented as a fully independently verified criminal history.

Previous allegations or convictions, where established, would not by themselves prove the new charges connected to Flight 2174.

FAA and Federal Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that it would investigate the passenger disturbance.

The agency's investigation may examine the effect of the reported incident on flight safety and the crew's handling of the situation.

The FBI and federal prosecutors may separately evaluate whether the alleged conduct violated federal criminal laws.

The existence of an investigation does not mean additional charges have already been filed.

United Airlines Flight 2174 Incident Timeline

What Happens Next in the Case?

The Louisiana criminal proceedings will determine whether the evidence supports the charges arising from the alleged threat aboard Flight 2174.

Investigators may examine statements from passengers and crew, air traffic control communications, aviation records and law enforcement reports.

The FAA will separately examine any aviation safety concerns.

Federal prosecutors may consider additional charges, while ICE's detainer could affect the handling of Gomez-Alberto's custody when the criminal proceedings permit.

As of November 12, 2026, no final outcome has been confirmed.

Conclusion

Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, 34, was arrested after an alleged bomb threat aboard United Airlines Flight 2174 from Newark to New Orleans on November 9, 2026.

Authorities say he told flight attendants he had a bomb, while DHS separately accused him of attempting to enter the cockpit.

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 landed safely with 46 passengers and six crew members aboard. Jefferson Parish deputies arrested Gomez-Alberto and booked him on charges of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing.

DHS also reported two previous deportations and confirmed that ICE lodged an immigration detainer following the incident.

Further aviation, criminal and immigration proceedings may clarify the circumstances and legal consequences. Gomez-Alberto remains presumed innocent of the pending criminal allegations unless proven guilty in court.