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Laptop Threat Forces Allegiant Flight’s Emergency Landing as Passenger Faces Federal Charges

The FBI is investigating Taj Malik Taylor’s bomb threat after he claimed his laptop was a bomb, prompting an emergency return to St. PeteClearwater.

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Overview

  • Allegiant Air Flight 1023, carrying 177 passengers and six crew, turned back to St. PeteClearwater less than an hour into its flight to Roanoke after a passenger claimed his laptop was a bomb.
  • Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office K9 teams searched the aircraft and Taylor’s belongings upon landing and found no explosives.
  • Taylor was arrested at the gate and has been federally charged with making a false bomb threat, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
  • An FBI affidavit states Taylor had recently been released from a mental health facility and acknowledged suffering from a lack of clarity despite taking his prescribed medication.
  • Allegiant Air resumed operations after a five-hour delay, issued $100 travel vouchers to affected passengers and said it maintains zero tolerance for disruptive behavior as the FBI leads the ongoing probe.