Flight attendant accused of two hoax in-flight threats
A flight attendant charged with making a hoax in-flight threat that caused the closure of a North Dakota airport last week, has admitted to a similar offence in July, the FBI said.
Justin Cox-Sever, 22, of Tempe, Arizona, has been accused of hiding a bag stuffed with towels and reporting it as a suspicious item emitting a beeping noise on a SkyWest Airlines flight.
Dickinson Airport in North Dakota was evacuated after the plane landed.
Cox-Sever was charged in federal court with interfering with the operation of an aircraft and communicating false information.
In unsealed court documents the flight attendant allegedly told FBI special agent Daniel Genck he also fabricated a bomb threat during a flight to Chicago on July 7.
That SkyWest flight was turned back to Charlottesville after a threat was scrawled on the wall of the plane’s bathroom.
Cox-Sever admitted he wrote the message, according to the affidavit.
"Cox-Sever stated he was extorted by a friend who told him that he needed to ‘bring down’ a plane or else they would harm him and his family," Genck said in the court document.
"Following further questioning, Cox-Sever recanted his claim of extortion and admitted he had written the threat willingly."
The Charlottesville incident is still being investigated by the FBI.
SkyWest spokeswoman Marissa Snow said Cox-Sever is no longer employed by the airline.
"The safety and security of our customers and people are our top priority," Snow said.
If convicted, Cox-Sever could face 40 years in prison.
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