Spirit Airlines flight thrown into chaos by last-minute bomb threat that triggered mass panic
John Charles Robinson, of Monroe, Michigan, is accused of calling Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday morning and reporting that a person planned to blow up the Los Angeles-bound plane.
The 23-year-old had a ticket for Spirit Airlines Flight 2145 but missed the boarding window, according to the US Attorney's Office.
After learning at the gate that he had to reschedule his trip, Robinson called the airport at around 6:25am and told the alarming lie, authorities said.
'I was calling about 2145… because I have information about that flight,' he told an employee, according to an affidavit.
'There's gonna be someone who's gonna try to blow up the airport...there's gonna be someone that's gonna try to blow up that flight, 2145.'
Robinson then described a person carrying a bomb, claiming the individual planned to bring it into the airport undetected, authorities said.
'Please don't let that flight board,' he allegedly pleaded.
The flight was immediately canceled, forcing passengers and crew off the aircraft.
Bomb-sniffing dogs and FBI agents swarmed the plane but found nothing.
FBI agents learned Robinson had missed the flight and arrested him when he returned to the airport for his rescheduled trip to LA.
Officials said the suspect admitted to making the call, ABC News reported.
Robinson allegedly confirmed the phone number used to make the call was his and gave written permission to agents to search the device.
He was charged with using a cellphone to threaten/maliciously convey false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt to damage/destroy an airplane by means of an explosive, as well false information and hoaxes.
Robinson appeared in court on Friday and was released on $10,000 bond.
He is scheduled to appear before a judge again on June 27.
'No American wants to hear the words "bomb" and "airplane" in the same sentence,' US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. said.
'Making this kind of threat undermines our collective sense of security and wastes valuable law enforcement resources.'
Faux bomb threats are punishable by fines, prison time and felony charges. Culprits can face up to five years in custody, according to the Department of Justice.
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