Latest news with #Flight15
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Who is John Stea? More on suspect in Hawaiian Airlines false bomb threat
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A San Diego-based Navy sailor was cited and released Tuesday after allegedly making a false bomb threat aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight bound for Honolulu. Harbor Police arrested John Stea, 35, after he reportedly told a flight attendant that the passenger next to him had a bomb. The incident occurred on Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15, which was grounded at San Diego International Airport for hours while authorities searched the aircraft. Cellphone video taken by passenger Debbie Danzig shows officers escorting Stea off the plane in handcuffs. Passengers remained on board during the initial investigation before eventually being asked to deplane as authorities, including officers in tactical gear and bomb-sniffing dogs, conducted a full search of the aircraft and luggage. 'It was absolutely silent on the airplane. Nobody was saying anything,' Danzig said during an interview on FOX 5's morning show. 'We had no concerns — the airline handled it very well, everybody was extremely calm.' No explosives were found, and officials later confirmed the threat was a hoax. The flight, carrying nearly 300 passengers and crew members, departed for Hawaii roughly six hours later. Stea is facing misdemeanor charges of making a false bomb threat and falsely reporting a security threat. Because the charges are misdemeanors, he was cited and released rather than booked into jail. According to Navy officials, Stea is an Electronics Technician Second Class assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Group One, which focuses on anti-terrorism operations and military force protection. He has served in the Navy since May 2009 and has received several commendations, including the Good Conduct Medal. Stea lives in Coronado with his wife and two children. The U.S. Navy said it is reviewing the situation, and it is unclear how the charges might affect his military career. The San Diego City Attorney's Office will determine whether to prosecute the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
International Business Times
21-05-2025
- International Business Times
Who Is John Stea? Military Technician Arrested for Making False Bomb Threat on Hawaiian Airlines at San Diego Airport
A Navy technician was arrested for reportedly making a false bomb threat during a Hawaiian Airlines flight, authorities said. Electronics Technician 1st Class John Stea, 35, allegedly told a flight attendant that the person seated next to him had a bomb just minutes before takeoff from San Diego International Airport on Tuesday morning, the San Diego Harbor Police said. Authorities were alerted and quickly swarmed Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15 on the runway at 8:45 a.m. One man was removed from the plane in handcuffs, according to witnesses. However, it still remains unclear whether it was Stea or the person he had falsely accused of carrying a bomb inside the plane. Creating a Panic Situation All 293 passengers on board were evacuated from the aircraft and transported by bus to a secure location. The aircraft was cleared after law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the plane using bomb-sniffing dogs. Passengers reboarded, and the flight took off for Honolulu roughly five hours later, Hawaiian Airlines reported. Officials later said that there is no danger to passengers at San Diego International Airport. "Harbor Police reminds the public that maliciously reporting a false bomb threat is against the law and can result in fines and up to one year incarceration in county jail or state prison if convicted," the agency said. Everything West Smooth after Check "During pushback from the gate, a guest was overheard making a threat to the safety of our aircraft," said Melissa Villegas, a spokesperson for Hawaiian Airlines. "As a precaution, the captain immediately taxied the Airbus A330 to a safe location on the airfield where it was met with local and federal law enforcement, and guests were safely deplaned." "We appreciate their understanding during this situation and apologize for any concern this may have caused," said Villegas. "We are working to get all guests to Honolulu as quickly as possible. We are grateful for the professionalism and care of our flight attendants and pilots throughout this event." The response to the incident included the Port of San Diego Harbor Police Maritime Tactical SWAT team, the K-9 unit, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the San Diego Fire Department, all of whom were dispatched to the scene. "The safety of the public and our personnel is of utmost importance to the Navy. We take all threats seriously and are cooperating fully with local and federal authorities," Lt. Mohammad N. Issa, deputy public affairs officer, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, said in a statement.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Navy technician charged with making a false bomb threat on a Hawaiian Airlines flight
A Navy technician was arrested on charges of making a false bomb threat while he was on a Hawaiian Airlines flight, authorities said. Electronics Technician 1st Class John Stea, 35, was arrested and charged with making a false bomb threat and false report of a security threat. San Diego Harbor Police allege in a news release that Stea told a flight attendant on Hawaii Airlines Flight 15 that the passenger next to him had a bomb as the flight was getting ready to depart. The flight attendant told the captain about the potential threat, police said. "Harbor Police reminds the public that maliciously reporting a false bomb threat is against the law and can result in fines and up to one year incarceration in county jail or state prison if convicted," police said. The incident happened as the plane was about to leave San Diego International Airport for Honolulu, prompting the plane to taxi to a safe location and a search of the aircraft. The nearly 300 people onboard were deplaned and transported by bus to a secure area, police said. The aircraft and all luggage were eventually cleared. "The safety of the public and our personnel is of utmost importance to the Navy. We take all threats seriously and are cooperating fully with local and federal authorities," Lt. Mohammad N. Issa, deputy public affairs officer, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, said in a statement. This article was originally published on
New York Post
21-05-2025
- New York Post
Navy technician accused of making false bomb threat on Hawaiian Airlines flight
A Navy technician was arrested for allegedly making a bogus bomb threat while aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight, officials said. Electronics Technician 1st Class John Stea, 35, told a flight attendant that the passenger next to him had a bomb just moments before taking off from San Diego International Airport Tuesday morning, according to the San Diego Harbor Police. Authorities were notified and swarmed Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15 on the tarmac at 8:45 a.m. Advertisement 3 Port officials have identified the man as 35-year-old John Stea, who the Port described as 'a member of the military.' Instagram/808chadnelson 3 Authorities boarded the plane following the threat. Isai Solorzano One man was yanked off the airplane in handcuffs, witnesses said — although it's not clear whether it was Stea or the man he falsely claimed had the explosive. All 293 people onboard were deplaned and bused to a safe area. Advertisement Following a search of the aircraft involving bomb-sniffing K9s, it was cleared by law enforcement. Passengers re-boarded the plane and took off for Honolulu about five hours later, according to Hawaiian Airlines. 3 Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15 was cleared and took off five hours late. AP Authorities said there is no threat to travelers at the San Diego airport. Advertisement 'Harbor Police reminds the public that maliciously reporting a false bomb threat is against the law and can result in fines and up to one year incarceration in county jail or state prison if convicted,' the agency said.
Arab Times
21-05-2025
- Arab Times
Flight at San Diego airport evacuated and 1 arrested following reports of a bomb threat
SAN DIEGO, May 21, (AP): One person was arrested following reports of a possible bomb threat on a Hawaiian Airlines flight set to take off from San Diego International Airport, leading to the evacuation of the plane, officials said. The Airbus A330 bound for Honolulu had just pushed back from the gate around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday when "a flight attendant informed the flight's captain that a passenger reported a possible bomb onboard,' according to a statement from Port of San Diego Harbor police. The captain called police and SWAT officers, and the FBI responded to search the aircraft. Nothing suspicious was found, and there was no threat to travelers, the police statement said. A 35-year-old man was arrested on charges of making a false bomb threat and false report of a security threat, according to a news release from the Port of San Diego. The man allegedly told a flight attendant that the passenger next to him had a bomb. Hawaiian Airlines said in a statement that "a guest was overheard making a threat to the safety of our aircraft' and the captain alerted authorities as a precaution. All 293 people aboard Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15 were evacuated and transported by bus to a safe area. The plane was cleared by law enforcement and the passengers were able to reboard. It departed for Honolulu around 2:15 p.m., the airline later said.
