Man Arrested for Boarding United Airlines Flight with Fake Pass
A 25-year-old Houston resident, Abdulrahman Oriyomi, was arrested last month for unlawfully boarding a United Airlines aircraft using a forged boarding pass at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. This incident, which occurred on May 18, prompted charges of felony impairment or obstruction of a critical infrastructure facility, as outlined in court documents filed recently in Harris County, Texas.
Incident Details Unfold
On the morning of May 18, surveillance cameras captured Oriyomi having an issue with his boarding pass at Terminal C. He was subsequently interviewed by a traffic guard and granted permission to take a photograph, allowing him to pass through airport security.
Attempts to Board Multiple Flights
After passing through security, Oriyomi was observed engaging with United Airlines staff several times while trying to board various flights. However, he was repeatedly refused entry after his boarding pass failed to scan properly, according to the court documents.
A Breach of Security
Later, around 9 a.m., Oriyomi joined the boarding line for United Airlines Flight 469, en route to Los Angeles. According to a Houston Police Department officer’s report, Oriyomi waited until United Airlines staff were distracted by other passengers before feigning a boarding pass inspection. He then slipped past the employee and entered the jetway undetected.
Reported Disruptions on the Flight
Upon boarding, witnesses reported that Oriyomi took an aisle seat but soon slipped into the restroom. When he returned, he found his seat occupied by a legitimate passenger. As the flight was taxiing, he allegedly attempted multiple times to evade detection by heading back to the bathroom, raising concerns among other passengers who alerted flight attendants.
False Identity Revealed
Despite being told to remain seated, Oriyomi continued his excursions to the restroom. When questioned about his name, he falsely claimed to be “Mr. Lopez.” Upon verification, officials discovered no passenger by that name was authorized for the flight, prompting a return to the gate for further investigation.
Flight Delays and Investigation
The incident resulted in a three-hour delay for Flight 469. Following the disturbances, the aircraft was searched for explosives by a K-9 unit, and officers were informed of Oriyomi’s true identity. A United customer service manager indicated that, although a reservation was found under Oriyomi’s name, it had been canceled due to non-payment.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
Following the investigation, Oriyomi received a trespassing warning and caused a disturbance by recording the police with his cell phone before departing the airport. He is currently being held at the Harris County Joint Processing Center and is expected to appear in Harris County Court for a bond review. The status of legal representation for Oriyomi remains unclear.
