A first-class passenger told crew he would detonate a bomb unless the plane was diverted, later claiming that he thought cartel enforcers were waiting for him, authorities say
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File
- A first-class passenger is accused of making a bomb threat on an Alaska Airlines flight.
- An FBI affidavit says he handed a flight attendant a note threatening to "kill everyone on board."
- The flight was diverted from Seattle, where the man told authorities cartel enforcers were waiting.
A first-class passenger accused of threatening to "kill everyone" aboard his flight later told authorities he'd wanted the flight diverted because he thought waiting cartel members would torture and kill him, the FBI says.
The man, identified in an FBI affidavit seen by Insider as Brandon L. Scott, is said to have handed an Alaska Airlines flight attendant a note written on a receipt during a Wednesday flight to Seattle.
The affidavit quotes the note as saying: "There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board.
"Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose."
The note then apparently said the man's demands were "simple": For the plane to land at any other airport.
"If this plane lands in Seattle, I will kill everyone onboard," it said, according to the FBI. "Change our destination and I will refrain from detonating the bomb. I repeat, if I see us land in Seattle, I will kill every soul on this plane."
The note also is said to have told the flight attendant to tell the pilot and no one else: "Once we have been rerouted I expect an announcement. That way I know my demands have been met. Pretend there is some sort of equipment problem or whatever you have to do. Just get this plane rerouted. Failure to comply will cost the lives of everyone on this plane."
The note added he would surrender peacefully on landing if the flight was diverted, the affidavit said.
Alaska Airlines Flight 334 from Atlanta to Seattle was ultimately rerouted to Spokane International Airport, about a four-hour drive east of Seattle, after the flight attendant told the captain, who spoke with air-traffic control and the airline's security team, the affidavit said.
The passenger was then detained by law enforcement, it said. He was interviewed by special agents and was said to have described being targeted by the Sinaloa Cartel.
The US identifies the Sinaloa Cartel as being among the world's most dangerous drug traffickers, and it plays a major role in the US fentanyl drug trade.
The affidavit says Scott told authorities that cartel members were waiting at the Seattle airport to torture and kill him and that the fake bomb threat was his way of escaping them.
The airport's bomb squad investigated the plane but didn't find any explosive devices or materials, the affidavit said.
Scott was said to have told authorities after his arrest that he had considered other ways to get the flight diverted, including assaulting a flight attendant or opening the cabin door.
Scott appeared in federal court Thursday in Spokane, where the judge entered a denial of charges of conveying false information or hoaxes, local outlet The Spokesman-Review reported.
If convicted he faces up to five years in prison, the outlet said.
Neither the FBI nor Alaska Airlines responded to requests for comment from Insider made outside business hours.