Passenger Charged After Mid-Flight Bomb Threat
One passenger’s alleged mid-flight bomb threat resulted in an emergency landing over the weekend and is now being investigated by the FBI, according to a news release from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PSCO).
On Sunday, July 6, at around 2:03 p.m. local time, deputies responded to “a verbal bomb threat” allegedly made by 27-year-old suspect Taj Taylor on an Allegiant route between Florida and Roanoke, Virginia. After the remark was reported to crew members, the plane made an emergency landing at the St. Pete-Clearwater Airport at around 2:08 p.m.
“Detectives assigned to the Threat Management Division are assisting with a bomb threat investigation that occurred on an Allegiant flight,” according to the PCSO. “Detectives learned that passenger Taj Taylor told another passenger that his laptop was a bomb. The passenger immediately notified the flight attendants.” The release added that “several” other passengers reportedly heard Taylor’s threat.
Deputies searched Taylor’s belongings once the plane had safely arrived at St. Pete-Clearwater, but “no bomb was found,” the release specified. According to an arrest report, Taylor was taken into custody at 11:23 p.m. local time and summarily released on bail the following morning. The plane disembarked for Roanoke once a new crew arrived, and passengers were issued a $100 voucher for future travel.
According to an FBI affidavit obtained by the New York Post, Taylor told deputies that he had “recently [been] released from a mental health facility.” He added that although he "took his medication last night,” the day of the flight, he claimed to be “currently suffering from a lack of clarity.” He has been charged with making a false bomb threat. If convicted, Taylor faces up to five years in prison and a possible fine of up to $25,000.