Eulalio Felipe Orama, a Cuban-born resident of Houston, Texas, found himself under arrest at Miami International Airport on Wednesday after uttering the word "bomb" during the boarding process for his flight.
The remark, deemed inappropriate in a high-security environment, triggered an emergency response that involved evacuating passengers and deploying specialized units, as reported by local media.
The incident took place around 2:00 p.m. at gate D60-E, which was assigned to American Airlines flight 3963, bound for Houston.
According to the arrest report, the 49-year-old Orama was informed by airline staff that his carry-on luggage needed to be checked due to limited overhead compartment space.
In response to standard security questions, Orama reportedly quipped sarcastically, "A bomb wouldn't fit in the bag."
An employee who witnessed the exchange noted that Orama appeared frustrated by the request to check his bag and used the word "bomb" in that context.
As a result of his comment, the security protocol was immediately activated.
Passengers were disembarked, and authorities conducted several inspections using explosive detection dogs on both the passenger's luggage and the surrounding area, including the aircraft itself.
All inspections turned up negative results.
During questioning, Orama claimed it was a joke that had been misunderstood.
Nevertheless, authorities deemed his comment serious enough to warrant arrest and legal action.
The case is being presided over by Judge David Young of the Miami-Dade County circuit.
Authorities caution that in such settings, jokes about explosives are not tolerated and are treated as genuine threats, regardless of the author's initial intent.
Orama was taken into custody at the boarding gate, transported to the airport police station for interrogation, and subsequently booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).
His bond was set at $1,000, according to his police record.
He is facing charges for making a false report concerning the placement of a bomb or explosive, a second-degree felony under Florida state law.
Conviction for this type of offense can lead to penalties that include up to 15 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and the denial of benefits such as "withheld adjudication," which means the conviction cannot be expunged from the accused's record.
Additionally, the applicable statute allows the court to require the accused to cover the costs incurred from the emergency response, including the deployment of security personnel and public resources.
Legal Implications of Bomb Threats at Airports
What are the consequences of making a false bomb threat?
Making a false bomb threat can result in severe legal consequences, including up to 15 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and additional costs associated with the emergency response.
Why are bomb jokes taken seriously in airports?
Airports treat bomb jokes as serious threats due to the high-security environment. Any mention of explosives is considered a potential threat, triggering strict security protocols.