Juan Carlos Siblia-Lopez, a 63-year-old resident of Hialeah, was taken into custody by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office after making a bomb threat call to the Salvation Army shelter located in the northwest part of the county.
The event unfolded on a Wednesday when a receptionist at the shelter on 1907 NW 38th Street received two consecutive calls from the same phone number.
During the second call, the employee put the call on speakerphone, allowing her and another witness to hear the man say, "Mr. Brown, you know who I am. There's an active bomb in the building."
The building was promptly evacuated, and K-9 units from the Sheriff's Office combed the premises for several hours.
No explosive devices or suspicious items were discovered, and once the area was deemed safe, occupants were allowed to return.
Investigators traced the calls back to Siblia-Lopez, who resides with his mother in Hialeah. Intriguingly, the phone number was registered under the name "Alex Boom," according to the Sheriff's Office.
Upon questioning, Siblia-Lopez admitted that his phone was registered under that alias and confessed to making the threat.
He faces charges for falsely reporting the placement of a bomb, a second-degree felony in Florida.
Under Florida Statute § 790.163, such actions can result in up to 15 years of imprisonment, 15 years of probation, and fines reaching $10,000, along with covering the costs incurred from the emergency response.
Siblia-Lopez remains detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with bail yet to be set.
The impacted shelter is the Miami Area Command of the Salvation Army, one of the largest such facilities in the metropolitan area, with a capacity ranging from 236 to 280 beds, serving single women, families, veterans, and the homeless.
False bomb threats have become a recurring problem in Miami-Dade throughout 2026, with incidents reported at malls, hospitals, the zoo, and the international airport, among other places.
In a similar case last January, a Cuban national was arrested at Miami International Airport, highlighting the ongoing nature of this issue in the county.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has repeatedly emphasized that these threats are no laughing matter but are serious crimes that are rigorously investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Understanding Bomb Threats in Miami-Dade
What are the legal consequences of making a bomb threat in Florida?
In Florida, making a bomb threat is considered a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and fines up to $10,000, along with covering costs from the emergency response.
How do authorities respond to bomb threats in Miami-Dade?
Upon receiving a bomb threat, authorities evacuate the area and deploy K-9 units to search for any explosive devices or suspicious items. The site is only declared safe after a thorough investigation.
How common are false bomb threats in Miami-Dade?
False bomb threats have been increasingly common in Miami-Dade in 2026, with incidents occurring at various public venues such as malls, hospitals, and even the international airport.