MIAMI, FL – A woman was arrested at Miami International Airport on July 1 after authorities say she falsely claimed to have a bomb in her carry-on bag, leading to panic among travelers. The 21-year-old, identified as Aliyah Evans, now faces a felony count of making a false bomb report and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct, according to arrest records.
The incident began around 5:51 a.m. at the JetBlue ticket counter, where witnesses reported that Evans loudly announced she possessed an explosive device in her luggage. Authorities say she held up her cellphone, displaying what appeared to be a clock timer, and told onlookers that women and children should leave the area while instructing men to stay behind.
As panic spread, Evans reportedly placed her carry-on bag on the floor in front of the ticket counter and attempted to move past other passengers, trying to make her way through Checkpoint E. Her actions prompted an immediate response from airport security.
Transportation Security Administration supervisors and Customs and Border Protection officers nearby moved quickly to secure the situation, detaining Evans at the scene before any further escalation. Sheriff’s deputies soon arrived and noted in their reports that Evans appeared agitated, shouting and refusing to cooperate as they attempted to question her about her actions.
Bomb squad technicians, including a specially trained explosives K-9 unit, were called in to inspect her luggage and person. After a thorough search, authorities confirmed there was no explosive device or any materials posing a threat to airport security.
In the chaos of the incident, officials said Evans knocked over several lane dividers and caused significant disruption in the area, which instilled fear among airport visitors and staff and forced operations to slow while safety procedures were carried out.
After her detention, Evans was brought to the sheriff’s office, where she declined to answer questions and invoked her right to remain silent. She was later transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center for booking and released after posting a $150 bond, court records state.
Authorities imposed additional restrictions as a result of the charges. Circuit Judge Ricker Wolfson issued an order barring Evans from returning to Miami International Airport, a standard precaution in cases involving airport security threats.
Evans is slated to appear in court on July 31 for her arraignment, where she’ll face the formal charges against her. The case underscores ongoing concerns over false threats at major transportation hubs, which law enforcement take seriously due to their potential to disrupt travel and endanger public safety.
Airport officials stressed that procedures initiated during the incident prioritized the safety of all travelers and minimized further delays. No injuries were reported, and airport operations returned to normal soon after the area was cleared.
Investigators have not released information about a possible motive for the incident, and court documents indicate Evans has not made any public statements regarding the accusations.