Suspect Arrested After Alleged Mid-flight Bomb Threat Caused Emergency Landing

A fishy who allegedly made a explosive threat connected an Allegiant Air formation complete nan play was arrested Sunday day and charged pinch mendacious accusation and threats.

Taj Malik Tayor, 27, of Largo, Florida, told different rider connected Allegiant Air formation 1023, headed to Roanoke, Virginia, that his laptop was a bomb, according to nan Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The level had taken disconnected from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), and quickly returned to that airdrome aft nan alleged threat. 

"The rider instantly notified nan formation attendants," nan sheriff's agency said. "Detectives opportunity respective different witnesses connected nan level besides heard Taylor authorities that he had a bomb."

A mugshot of Taj Malik Taylor taken connected Jul. 6, 2025.  (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)

NAVY TECHNICIAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY MAKING FALSE BOMB THREAT ON HAWAIIAN AIRLINES FLIGHT

After nan level landed, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office K9s searched Taylor’s belongings. They did not find a bomb. 

According to Pinellas County jailhouse records, Taylor was booked conscionable earlier 11:30 p.m. connected Sunday night, and was released from custody astir 11 hours later connected Monday morning. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken complete nan case, and provided an apprehension affidavit for Taylor. 

BOMB THREAT GROUNDS SPIRIT AIRLINES FLIGHT AT DETROIT METRO AIRPORT: 'POTENTIAL SECURITY ISSUE'

The affidavit says that Taylor, "knowing nan accusation to beryllium false, willfully and maliciously pinch reckless disregard for nan information of quality life, gave, nether circumstances successful which nan accusation whitethorn person reasonably believed, mendacious accusation astir an alleged effort being made to do an act… specifically, possession connected aliases astir nan defendant's personification an explosive device…"

According to nan affidavit, Taylor told investigators that he made nan comments aft a rider was rude to him, and said that he was precocious released from a intelligence wellness facility. He said he had taken medicine connected Saturday, nan time earlier nan alleged threat, and was "suffering from a deficiency of clarity."

Taylor appeared successful tribunal Monday morning, according to nan FBI. It is unclear whether he has an attorney.

A Coast Guard level connected nan tarmac astatine St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport pinch Allegiant Air planes successful nan background.  (FAA)

"Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behaviour of immoderate kind, truthful nan determination was made to return to nan airport," nan hose told Fox News Digital successful a statement. "The level landed safely and was met by rule enforcement officers, who took nan rider into custody."

 CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"We apologize for nan inconvenience this has caused our passengers and convey them for their patience. As a motion of goodwill, we issued $100 vouchers to each itinerary, to beryllium utilized for early travel."

Fox News Digital reached retired to Taylor.