A recently released psychiatric patient announced his laptop was a bomb midair on a packed flight out of Florida, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.
Taj Malik Taylor, 27, was onboard Allegiant Air flight 1023 out of St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida, to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in Virginia with 177 passengers and six crew members late Sunday afternoon when he made the terrifying comments, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Less than an hour into the flight, Taylor allegedly told his seatmate, “I have a bomb,” at least two times.
When the passenger questioned why he would make such a serious claim, Taylor allegedly showed them his laptop and stated, “My laptop is a bomb,” according to an FBI affidavit obtained by USA Today.
His frightened seatmate immediately informed the flight attendants of Taylor’s threats, leading the pilot to turn the aircraft around and make an emergency landing back in St. Pete-Clearwater about 40 minutes after takeoff.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Officers were waiting for the plane upon landing after responding to a call of a “verbal bomb threat.”
“Detectives say several other witnesses on the plane also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb,” police said.
Police boarded the plane at around 2 p.m., arrested Taylor, and had a K-9 unit search his belongings.
After he was removed from the Allegiant flight, the plane took off again and arrived at Roanoke at around 7:57 p.m.
“Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport,” an Allegiant Air spokesperson told USA Today.
“The plane landed safely and was met by law enforcement officers, who took the passenger into custody.”
Taylor was slapped with felony charges of making threats and false information in the first degree. He was released into the custody of the US Marshals on Monday, according to arrest records.
The FBI is now leading the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.
Taylor made his initial appearance in Tampa federal court Monday afternoon.
An FBI affidavit said that “Taylor did not admit to making the bomb threats but stated that [the woman sitting next to him aboard the flight] was rude to him.”
“Taylor stated that he was recently released from a mental health facility. He stated that he took his medication last night and that he was currently suffering from a lack of clarity,” the affidavit said.
He also told investigators that “he has more clarity when he takes his medication.”
Taylor is a former high school football star in Largo, Florida, who suffered a severe Grade 3 concussion during his sophomore year in 2013, according to the outlet.
The hit was so hard that it caused him to lose consciousness for more than 10 minutes.
Grade 3 concussions are linked to long-term neurological issues.
Taylor also claims to be a US Air Force veteran and is currently a seminary student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, according to the Daily Mail.
Taylor faces a fine of up to $25,000, a prison sentence of up to five years, or both if convicted of making a false bomb threat.
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