Philadelphia Man Charged In Airport Hoax - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Philadelphia Man Charged In Airport Hoax

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The man federal authorities believe is responsible for Thursday's plane hoax is now in custody and charged with "violating federal law by knowingly engaging in conduct with intent to convey false and misleading information, and doing so via a telephone, an instrument of commerce." 

According to the complaint, 26-year-old Kenneth W. Smith, Jr.  of Philadelphia, reported that a man had carried liquid explosives onto an airplane.   That man, it turns out, was on a flight that just took off from PHL and bound for Dallas.   the plane was turned around and landed a short time later. 

Christopher Shell, 29, told the Associated Press he was the guy that police hauled off the US Airways flight.    Investigators say he did not have explosives and did nothing wrong.  He did fly onto Dallas where he was arrested on unrelated charges.

Smith will appear in court Friday afternoon.

If convicted, Smith could face a maximum 10 years in jail, large fines and possible restitution.

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