Woman Arrested for Fake Bomb Threat at Miami Airport
A 21-year-old woman was arrested at Miami International Airport earlier this month after allegedly claiming she had a bomb in her luggage and trying to evacuate women and children, while asking men to stay behind. Authorities later confirmed no explosives were found.
Aliyah Evans was taken into custody on July 1 and charged with one felony count of making a false bomb report and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, according to arrest records.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies responded to the JetBlue ticket counter around 5:51 a.m. after reports that a female passenger was loudly claiming she had a bomb in her carry-on. Witnesses said Evans was holding her cellphone, which displayed what appeared to be a clock timer, and announced, “I need children and women to leave and for men to stay.”
She then placed the carry-on bag on the floor in front of the counter and attempted to push past other passengers to enter Checkpoint E.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents intervened and detained Evans, who was described as “acting erratic,” yelling and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement officers.
A bomb squad and K-9 unit were deployed to examine the bag and Evans herself. The area was temporarily shut down during the investigation. Ultimately, no bomb or explosive device was discovered.
In addition to the false bomb threat, police say Evans knocked over lane extenders and created a significant disruption that frightened travelers and caused delays.
Evans was taken to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, where she invoked her right to remain silent and declined to answer questions. She was later booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and released after posting a $150 bond.
Judge Ricker Wolfson has barred Evans from returning to Miami International Airport as a condition of her release. She is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on July 31.
The motive behind her actions remains unclear, and authorities have not commented on whether Evans was undergoing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.
Airport officials emphasized that any threat, real or perceived, is treated with the utmost seriousness. “Even a false claim of a bomb can disrupt airport operations, frighten the public, and tie up valuable resources,” said a TSA spokesperson.
Travelers expressed concern and confusion during the incident, though no injuries were reported. Normal operations resumed after authorities declared the area safe.
False bomb threats in Florida carry severe penalties. A conviction on the felony charge Evans faces could result in up to 15 years in prison and thousands in fines.
Law enforcement officials urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behavior—but reminded travelers that false alarms are not only dangerous but also illegal and deeply disruptive.
