A man has been arrested after allegedly bypassing airport security procedures, boarding a United Airlines flight without authorization and hiding in aircraft bathrooms before the plane departed from Houston.

Authorities say 25-year-old Abdulrahman Oriyomi faces felony charges after the incident forced a United Airlines flight from Houston to Los Angeles to return to the gate and delayed departure by around three hours.

Passenger Found Hiding In Plane Bathrooms

According to investigators, Oriyomi boarded the aircraft at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and initially attempted to sit in an empty aisle seat.

When nearby passengers questioned whether the seat belonged to him, he reportedly stood up and went into one of the aircraft bathrooms.

About 15 minutes later, passengers occupying nearby seats noticed suspicious behavior after Oriyomi emerged and entered another restroom.

As the aircraft began pushing back from the gate, passengers alerted cabin crew that someone remained inside the bathroom.

Flight attendants located Oriyomi and instructed him to return to his assigned seat.

Minutes later, crew members found him inside another bathroom.

Fake Identity And No Seat Assignment

Investigators say when questioned, Oriyomi allegedly told crew his name was “Mr. Lopez.”

He then attempted to find an empty seat but reportedly discovered the aircraft was full.

According to investigators, he even asked cabin crew if he could sit in a crew jump seat.

Flight attendants checked the passenger manifest and discovered nobody under that name was booked on the flight.

Realizing there was an unauthorized passenger onboard, the crew informed the pilots and returned the aircraft to the gate.

Authorities Say He Bypassed Security And Gate Agents

Investigators allege Oriyomi first approached airport security around 5:45am on May 18.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed him struggling with his boarding pass before eventually being directed to another checkpoint, where he passed through security and entered the terminal.

Later, authorities say he unsuccessfully attempted to board another Los Angeles flight before moving to a different departure gate.

At gate D4, investigators claim Oriyomi deliberately waited until gate agents became distracted.

According to court documents, he pretended to present a boarding pass before walking directly down the jet bridge while staff assisted other passengers.

Bomb Squad, FBI And Police Responded

After the aircraft returned to the gate, police, FBI agents, explosive detection dogs and airport security teams responded.

Passengers were removed from the aircraft while explosive detection teams inspected the plane.

Investigators later discovered Oriyomi had previously attempted to buy a ticket, but United had cancelled the reservation because payment had not been completed.

Authorities also believe the boarding pass shown to staff was fraudulent because it allegedly lacked required information and contained what investigators described as a forged QR code.

Facing Criminal Charges

According to court records, Oriyomi was initially issued a trespass warning and told to leave the airport.

Police say he later caused disruptions while recording law enforcement officers before eventually departing.

He was arrested days later and now faces felony charges for allegedly impairing or interrupting operations at a critical infrastructure facility.

Oriyomi is currently being held on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Monday.