A Florida woman is facing serious charges after allegedly causing panic at Miami International Airport earlier this month by claiming to have a bomb in her luggage and demanding that women and children evacuate while men remain, authorities say.
Aliyah Evans, 21, was arrested on July 1 at the JetBlue ticket counter and charged with one felony count of making a false report about a bomb or explosive and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, according to arrest records from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Alleged Threat and Airport Disruption
According to police affidavits obtained by Law&Crime, deputies responded to the airport around 5:51 a.m. after receiving reports of a woman declaring she had a bomb in her carry-on bag. Witnesses told authorities that Evans was holding a cellphone displaying what resembled a clock timer and was heard saying, “I need children and women to leave and for men to stay.”
Evans reportedly placed her bag on the floor in front of the JetBlue counter and attempted to bypass other passengers to get through Checkpoint E, prompting immediate concern from airport staff and law enforcement.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the scene quickly intervened and detained Evans. When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they described her behavior as “erratic,” noting that she was yelling and uncooperative as officers tried to question her.
Bomb Squad Called, No Explosives Found
A bomb squad and explosives K-9 unit conducted a thorough search of Evans’ luggage and person but found no evidence of explosives or dangerous materials.
In addition to the bomb scare, Evans allegedly knocked over multiple lane dividers and created a chaotic scene that alarmed both travelers and airport employees. The disruption caused delays while officials secured the area and confirmed there was no threat.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Evans was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center for processing after invoking her right to remain silent during questioning. She was released after posting $150 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on July 31.
As a condition of her release, Circuit Judge Ricker Wolfson has barred Evans from returning to Miami International Airport.
