Man arrested for making hoax bomb threat at Detroit airport to avoid missing his flight.
A 23-year-old man from Michigan has been taken into custody following an attempted hoax that involved reporting a bomb threat at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Authorities allege that John Charles Robinson made the threat in a desperate bid to avoid missing his flight to Los Angeles.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Robinson contacted Spirit Airlines just before 6:30 a.m. on a Thursday morning, falsely claiming that there was a bomb threat to Flight 2145. This flight was scheduled to depart shortly thereafter at 7 a.m. Robinson was reportedly running late and believed that the bomb threat would delay the flight long enough for him to arrive at the airport.
In a call to an airline representative, Robinson purportedly expressed urgency about the flight’s safety, claiming that an individual would attempt to board with an explosive device. The call reportedly included details about how this person could bypass security screening, suggesting that the threat was credible and immediate. His actions prompted airport authorities to take immediate action, canceling the flight and deplaning all passengers and crew members for further screening.
The swift response included an extensive search of the aircraft by FBI agents and bomb-sniffing dogs, which unfortunately yielded no evidence of explosives. Eventually, the flight was cleared to take off approximately six hours later than scheduled. Following the incident, Robinson’s actions were categorized as malicious, as he made the call with the intention of delaying the flight.
Robinson later returned to the airport and was arrested by FBI agents later that day. He faces a serious charge for maliciously providing false information concerning an explosive device. Following his initial court appearance in federal court on Friday afternoon, he was released on bond, with a court date set for June 27.
This incident highlights the serious implications of falsely reporting threats, especially in an era when security in transportation hubs is a top priority. Authorities urge individuals to recognize the severity of such actions, which can lead to significant disruptions and legal consequences.
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