A UNITED Airlines passenger accused of threatening to blow up a packed plane and storming the cockpit has been unmasked as an illegal migrant who was deported from the US twice.
The 34-year-old sparked mid-air chaos after allegedly claiming he had a bomb, forcing as dozens of passengers feared for their lives.
The suspect has now been identified as Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a Honduran national who was previously booted from the US on two separate occasions.
Shockingly, he was allegedly allowed to walk free from immigration custody in 2020 after a judge ordered his release despite being caught illegally entering the country for a third time.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Gomez-Alberto’s immigration history to the New York Post following Monday night’s terrifying incident aboard United Flight 2174.
Officials said the Honduran national was first arrested by Border Patrol near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011 before being deported.
He was caught illegally crossing the border again in October 2014 near Columbus, New Mexico, and was subsequently removed from the country for a second time.
But Gomez-Alberto allegedly returned in 2019, entering near San Ysidro, California, where Border Patrol agents arrested him once more.
Despite his repeated illegal entries, a judge ordered his release from ICE custody in January 2020 while he awaited removal proceedings, according to DHS.
The suspect had since been living in the Bronx, New York, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office told NOLA.com .
His criminal history includes felony bomb threat, felony terroristic threat offenses and disorderly conduct, according to immigration officials.
A DHS spokesperson told the New York Post: “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the United States.”
ICE has now lodged a detainer against Gomez-Alberto following his latest arrest.
The terrifying ordeal unfolded aboard a Boeing 737 carrying 46 passengers and six crew members from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans on Monday night.
Gomez-Alberto allegedly began acting erratically before claiming he was carrying an explosive device and attempting to reach the cockpit.
Pilots reportedly issued a Level 4 security alert – the highest aviation threat classification, associated with attempted or actual cockpit breaches.
According to local affiliate WVUE , air traffic control recordings revealed how the crew managed to persuade the suspect to move toward the rear of the aircraft.
One voice was heard saying: “He changed into all black before he started trying to reach the cockpit.”
The quick-thinking crew managed to contain the alleged threat as the plane continued toward Louisiana.
The aircraft landed safely at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at approximately 11.15pm, where sheriff’s deputies were waiting.
Passengers were evacuated while the pilots remained locked inside the cockpit.
“We do have the plane empty except for the pilot and co-pilot who are locked in the cockpit right now,” a first responder said in the recordings.
Gomez-Alberto reportedly remained aboard the aircraft while negotiating with officers before eventually being arrested.
He was charged with communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing, according to court records.
The suspect is being held without bail at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.
United Airlines confirmed that all passengers and crew arrived safely.
