A Florida man is facing serious federal charges after allegedly causing a bomb scare aboard a commercial flight, forcing an emergency landing just minutes after takeoff.
Passenger bomb threat spurs emergency landing
According to law enforcement, the suspect later claimed he had recently been released from a mental health facility and was struggling with clarity.
The ordeal unfolded aboard Allegiant Air Flight 1023, which departed from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport at approximately 1:48 p.m. on Sunday.
Just moments into the journey, passengers seated at the rear of the aircraft were startled by a disturbing announcement.
Authorities say 27-year-old Taj Malik Taylor of Largo, Florida, turned to the person beside him and said, “My laptop is a bomb.”
The FBI affidavit, obtained by USA Today, outlines how Taylor allegedly repeated the threat while opening his laptop case.
Multiple travelers reportedly heard the alarming declaration. One passenger promptly alerted the flight attendants, prompting immediate concern among the crew.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the mid-air scare. “On July 6, 2025, at approximately 2:03 p.m., deputies were alerted to a verbal bomb threat made by a passenger on Allegiant flight 1023, headed to Roanoke, Virginia,” the agency said in a statement.
According to investigators, Taylor’s alleged threat was witnessed by several passengers, who corroborated the claim that he kept insisting there was a bomb in his possession.
Plane turns back to airport in emergency landing
Faced with a potential disaster, the flight crew and airline officials made the call to reroute the aircraft back to its departure point in an emergency landing.
The plane landed safely at 2:08 p.m., where law enforcement was waiting on the tarmac.
An Allegiant spokesperson commented on the disruption, telling USA Today, “Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport. The plane landed safely and was met by law enforcement officers, who took the passenger into custody.”
“We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our passengers and thank them for their patience,” the airline added.
After the passengers were evacuated and the suspect detained, bomb-sniffing K-9 units from the sheriff’s department combed through Taylor’s belongings. No explosive devices were found.
As a result of the chaos, all passengers were forced to deboard, and the flight didn’t take off for Virginia until nearly 6:30 p.m.
Authorities questioned Taylor following his arrest. The affidavit notes that while he did not confess to making the bomb threat, he claimed the passenger seated next to him was being “rude.”
The FBI document further stated that Taylor acknowledged he had recently been released from a mental health institution and had taken his medication the night prior.
He reportedly told investigators that he was “suffering from a lack of clarity.”
The affidavit also accused Taylor of acting “willfully and maliciously with reckless disregard for the safety of human life.”
Taylor was officially charged with making a false bomb threat, a federal offense. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both.
According to arrest records, Taylor was transferred into the custody of U.S. Marshals on Monday. The FBI has taken the lead on the case, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.
Taylor, who is reportedly an Air Force veteran, appeared for his initial court hearing Monday afternoon in federal court in Tampa. His bond was denied by Judge Thomas Wilson.
Nosy passenger imagines bomb threat
While Taylor’s case involved an actual criminal charge, a separate flight disruption last week demonstrated how even a misunderstanding can wreak havoc in the skies.
An American Airlines flight traveling from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Dallas, Texas, was also diverted after a passenger misinterpreted a text message seen on another traveler’s phone.
That passenger, who has not been publicly identified, believed they had uncovered a bomb threat and notified the crew. The suspicious message was just three letters: “RIP.”
Authorities later revealed that the text was from a grieving passenger heading to Texas for a family funeral.
The shorthand for “Rest in Peace” had nothing to do with any threat, but the frightened individual’s report was taken seriously.
The flight was redirected to Isla Verde less than 30 minutes after takeoff.
According to Puerto Rican outlet Primera Hora, the crew initiated emergency protocols after the report reached the cockpit.
Officials from the Office of Explosive and Public Safety later confirmed that no real threat was present.
After investigators determined the message was benign, the American Airlines flight resumed its journey and safely landed in Dallas the next day.
