Man arrested for fake bomb threat after missing flight
- A 23-year-old man from Michigan called in a bomb threat to Spirit Airlines after missing his flight to Los Angeles.
- Following the threat, the flight was canceled, and bomb detection efforts were initiated, but no explosives were found.
- John Charles Robinson was arrested upon his return to the airport and faces serious charges for his actions.
In the United States, specifically at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a 23-year-old man named John Charles Robinson was arrested for calling in a false bomb threat. This incident occurred on Thursday, the day of his scheduled flight to Los Angeles on Spirit Airlines. Robinson had missed his flight and was informed that he would need to rebook if he wished to travel. In a moment of frustration and urgency, he initiated a call to Spirit Airlines, wherein he conveyed alarming and entirely fabricated information regarding a supposed bomb threat targeting Flight 2145. During the phone call, Robinson provided vague yet alarming details about the threat while claiming to possess information that allegedly foreshadowed a bombing attempt at the airport and a specific Spirit Airlines flight. By stating that there would be individuals attempting to carry a bomb through security, he incited panic leading to immediate action from airport authorities. The response was swift, resulting in the cancellation of the flight and the deplaning of both passengers and crew members for safety measures as bomb sniffing dogs and FBI agents were deployed to inspect the aircraft for explosives. Upon investigation, federal agents determined that Robinson, who had previously booked a ticket for Flight 2145, had indeed missed his boarding call and was prompted to rebook. His arrival back at the airport to catch another flight led to his apprehension by FBI agents. During their investigation, they replayed the recording of his call regarding the bomb threat, which he confirmed was made from his own cellphone. This drastic miscalculation led to serious criminal charges being brought against him, as he was later charged with two counts: using a cellphone to threaten or convey false information and spreading falsehoods or hoaxes. The incident raised concerns about public safety and the misuse of bomb threats, which consume valuable law enforcement resources and heighten fear in communities. United States Attorney Jerome Gorgon, Jr., condemned the actions, emphasizing that such threats undermine collective safety. Robinson's subsequent court appearance led to his release on a bond of $10,000, with a future hearing scheduled for June 27 to examine the allegations further. The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI, showcasing the importance of judicial action against such alarming threats to public safety.