Overview

• Taj Malik Taylor allegedly declared “My laptop is a bomb” aboard Allegiant Air Flight 1023, prompting the pilot to return to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport less than an hour after departure.
• Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies arrested Taylor upon landing and K-9 units searched his belongings and the aircraft without finding explosives.
• The FBI has assumed control of the case and charged Taylor with conveying false threats, a federal offense carrying up to five years’ imprisonment.
• Taylor told investigators he was recently released from a psychiatric facility, was taking prescribed medication and was “suffering from a lack of clarity” when he made the statement.
• Allegiant Air resumed normal operations, apologized for the disruption and issued $100 travel vouchers to each passenger affected by the diversion.