Man Arrested for Bomb Threat at New Orleans Airport Over Parking Fee Issue

A Louisiana man could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison after allegedly making a bomb threat at the New Orleans airport due to inability to pay for parking, according to prosecutors.

The 35-year-old was charged on November 20 with one count of knowingly making a threat. The issue came to public attention following a statement from the U.S Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, released on a recent Tuesday.

Details of the Incident

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's violent crime task force responded after a call on November 7 was deemed threatening by the local sheriff's department, according to an FBI affidavit. The caller, identified as being from Alexandria, Louisiana, apparently 170 miles away from New Orleans, insisted that the operator "page Hassan," warning that a bomb would be detonated if his demand was not met.

About an hour following the first call, another call was received from the same number. This time, the individual seemed to be trying to alter his voice, the affidavit revealed. The caller reportedly made further threats, including a profanity-laced statement about harming the operator while demanding a bomb be brought to level three.

Authorities managed to trace the phone to a location near the airport's north terminal. This phone number was linked to the suspect, whose name was already known to authorities due to an earlier incident that evening.

Previous Incidents Leading to Arrest

Two hours prior to the initial phone threat, the suspect had attempted to leave a short-term parking area but could not settle the parking fees. Despite repeated requests from parking attendants and airport security to move his vehicle from the exit, he refused. The individual was eventually directed to relocate his car to another parking area until he could obtain the necessary funds to pay.

After officials connected him to the bomb threat, the suspect was located and arrested in the same parking lot.

Legal Proceedings and Conditions

Deputies confirmed the connection to the threatening phone calls when they dialed the number the bomb threats had originated from and witnessed his phone ringing.

The suspect was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond prior to a preliminary court hearing planned for Wednesday. As a condition of his release, he is required to undergo mental health treatment. He has also been allowed to retrieve his vehicle from the airport parking facility.

If the charges result in a conviction, the suspect could face a prison term of up to a decade and a fine reaching $250,000.