US Military Man Accused of Fake Bomb Threat Against Hawaiian Airlines Flight

A Hawaiian Airlines flight from San Diego to Honolulu was stopped after a U.S. military service member said the person next to him had a bomb, police said.

The pilots of Hawaiian Airlines flight 15 had pulled away from the gate Tuesday and were getting ready to depart when passenger John Stea, 35, told a flight attendant that a passenger next to him had a bomb, the Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department said.

The port police, San Diego Fire Department personnel and federal agencies came and searched the aircraft, but turned up nothing. Everyone on board had to deplane, and specialized service dogs cleared all carry-on and checked baggage, port police said.

Police identified Mr. Stea as a member of the military but did not specify the branch to which he belongs. He is an electronics technician 1st class with the Navy, according to NBC News.

Mr. Stea faces charges of making a false bomb threat and false report of a security threat. (Read more from “US Military Man Accused of Fake Bomb Threat Against Hawaiian Airlines Flight” HERE)