A twice‑deported Honduran illegal immigrant tried to hijack a United flight to New Orleans, police say. Authorities arrested the suspect within minutes after he claimed to have a bomb and lunged for the cockpit.
Hijack Attempt Foiled
Deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested 34‑year‑old Rony Alexander Gomez‑Alberto on Monday evening after he attempted to storm the cockpit of a United flight carrying 46 passengers from Newark to New Orleans. The plane triggered a hijacking alert, and Gomez‑Alberto was restrained in the cabin and taken into custody upon landing in New Orleans.
He changed into all black before he began trying to reach the cockpit, according to air traffic control audio. Officials say his erratic behavior and bomb threat forced the crew to lock the cockpit door and divert attention to passenger safety.
Background on the Suspect
Gomez‑Alberto has a history of illegal border crossings and multiple deportations. Border agents first detained him in El Indio, Texas, in September 2011 and in Columbus, New Mexico, in October 2014, after which he was removed from the United States both times. He attempted another illegal crossing near San Ysidro, California, in 2019, but ICE released him in January 2020 at a judge’s order.
Legal Proceedings
He now faces state charges of terrorizing and communicating false information about arson, plus a fugitive charge from an outstanding warrant in another state. The incident has raised concerns about security loopholes in commercial aviation.
No bond has been set and Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer on Tuesday.
The Justice Department is reviewing whether to pursue federal charges for the alleged airplane hijacking.
