Tue, Sep 11, 2012
Pictures Posted On Facebook Led New Boyfriend To Phone In The Threat
That explosives hoax that caused a US Airways flight to return to Philadelphia last week was apparently the result of a bad breakup ... and a jealous new boyfriend ... and ultimately ended in the arrest of the innocent party in the hoax on drug charges.
Christopher Shell apparently posted a picture of his ex-girlfriend on Facebook, which was not much appreciated by the woman's new boyfriend, Kenneth W. Smith Jr. The Associated Press reports that after the plane was turned around, taxied to a remote area of the Philadelphia airport, evacuated, and searched for explosives, Shell was able to clear himself of having anything to do with the hoax, and during the interview, gave authorities Smith's work address.
Smith was later arrested on charges of making the threat both against Shell and the airplane full of people. If convicted, he faces as much as 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He said during questioning that he did it because of the "compromising" photo Shell had posted on Facebook of his girlfriend, who was not named. He admitted calling the airport police and telling them Shell was carrying liquid explosives.
Smith's attorney said his client is "very sobered" and "embarrassed" by the problems his phone call caused.
But Shell's problems didn't end after he cleared himself with federal authorities in the explosives hoax. He was traveling to Dallas to celebrate his 29th birthday, and boarded another flight to Texas. On arrival at DFW, he was detained again, this time by Collin County, TX, authorities, and arrested on two outstanding drug possession warrants, one for less than two ounces of marijuana, and the other for a controlled substance under 28 grams.
Both Smith and Shell have posted bond.
More News
Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]
Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]
From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]
Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]