A big scare was created on a flight headed to Seattle. A flight coming from Atlanta last Wednesday was diverted to Spokane on after a man made a fake bomb threat to flight attendants. It was on an Alaska Airlines flight where according to court documents released Thursday, 38-year-old Brandon Scott handed a flight attendant a note stating that “there is a bomb on the plane.” A bomb squad did not find any explosive devices or materials anywhere on the plane. Scott said it was all because he was trying to save his life from a drug cartel.
Scott spoke to police after he was taken into custody. He admitted that he had purposely lied about having a bomb on board. He fearfully stated that he was being targeted by members of the Sinaloa Cartel. Scott told agents that cartel members were under orders to torture and kill him when he landed in Seattle. He said the created the deception hoping to be arrested as to means to escape the cartel.
“This is not a joke,” the note read. “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.” The note went on for several more paragraphs, demanding that the plane be rerouted from its destination in Seattle to “any other airport,” and to not alert any other passengers.
The pilot and co-pilot were alerted and relayed the threat onto air traffic control and Alaska Airlines’ security dispatch. From there, the decision was made to reroute to Spokane, where law enforcement arrested Scott.
“Pretend there is some sort of equipment problem or whatever you have to do,” Scott’s note read. “Just get this plane rerouted. Failure to comply will cost the lives of everyone on this plane.” The flight was diverted to land in Spokane, where Mr Scott was arrested upon landing and the Spokane Police Department bomb squad searched the plane.
