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| Man charged after US Airlines plane grounded in explosives hoax | Man charged after US Airlines plane grounded in explosives hoax |
| (7 months later) | |
| A man was charged on Friday in connection with an explosives scare that ended with a Texas-bound US Airways jet being recalled to Philadelphia. | A man was charged on Friday in connection with an explosives scare that ended with a Texas-bound US Airways jet being recalled to Philadelphia. |
| An unwitting passenger, Christopher Shell, was escorted off the plane at gunpoint when the plane landed, after a call from Kenneth W Smith allegedly reported Shell to be carrying carrying a liquid explosive. Shell had been involved in a feud involving his ex-girlfriend and Smith, her new boyfriend. | An unwitting passenger, Christopher Shell, was escorted off the plane at gunpoint when the plane landed, after a call from Kenneth W Smith allegedly reported Shell to be carrying carrying a liquid explosive. Shell had been involved in a feud involving his ex-girlfriend and Smith, her new boyfriend. |
| Smith admitted making the call from a payphone to "avenge" his girlfriend because Shell had posted a compromising picture of her on Facebook, authorities said. | Smith admitted making the call from a payphone to "avenge" his girlfriend because Shell had posted a compromising picture of her on Facebook, authorities said. |
| But while Shell was cleared of involvement in the mid-air scare, he was later arrested in Texas on outstanding drugs charges. | But while Shell was cleared of involvement in the mid-air scare, he was later arrested in Texas on outstanding drugs charges. |
| Officials recalled US Airways flight 1267, which was about 90 miles away from Philadelphia. When it landed, the plane was surrounded by law enforcement and Shell was taken off at gunpoint. Authorities later said he did nothing wrong. | Officials recalled US Airways flight 1267, which was about 90 miles away from Philadelphia. When it landed, the plane was surrounded by law enforcement and Shell was taken off at gunpoint. Authorities later said he did nothing wrong. |
| Shell gave officers the name of Smith's workplace, where he was questioned. | Shell gave officers the name of Smith's workplace, where he was questioned. |
| During questioning, Shell told authorities of a feud involving him, his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. Shell had recently traded "hostile messages" on his cellphone with his ex-girlfriend about the situation, according to the affidavit. | During questioning, Shell told authorities of a feud involving him, his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. Shell had recently traded "hostile messages" on his cellphone with his ex-girlfriend about the situation, according to the affidavit. |
| Smith, 26, of Philadelphia, was charged with conveying false information that interfered with aviation and using an instrument of commerce – the phone – to do so. A federal judge agreed to release Smith on personal recognizance. | Smith, 26, of Philadelphia, was charged with conveying false information that interfered with aviation and using an instrument of commerce – the phone – to do so. A federal judge agreed to release Smith on personal recognizance. |
| If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and possible restitution. | If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and possible restitution. |
| Authorities had stressed on Thursday that Shell was blameless for the scare. He continued his travel late Thursday to Texas, where he planned to celebrate his 29th birthday with friends and family, but authorities arrested him when he arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. | Authorities had stressed on Thursday that Shell was blameless for the scare. He continued his travel late Thursday to Texas, where he planned to celebrate his 29th birthday with friends and family, but authorities arrested him when he arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. |
| Texas authorities said Shell had outstanding warrants for two drug-possession charges – less than 2oz of marijuana and less than 28g of a controlled substance. | Texas authorities said Shell had outstanding warrants for two drug-possession charges – less than 2oz of marijuana and less than 28g of a controlled substance. |
| He was jailed Friday morning on $3,000 bond in Collin County near Dallas. | He was jailed Friday morning on $3,000 bond in Collin County near Dallas. |
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