An Indiana man indicted for a fake bomb threat on a Carnival cruise
A man has been charged for allegedly submitting a fake bomb threat on a Carnival Cruise Line vessel.
Joshua Darrell Lowe II is facing charges for making a false bomb threat, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan on Wednesday.
In an email sent to Carnival in January, Lowe claimed that “someone might have a bomb” aboard the Carnival Sunrise ship, which was traveling from Miami, Florida, to Jamaica at that moment.
In response, the crew conducted a thorough search of over 1,000 cabins and alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and Jamaican authorities, requiring a Marine Police escort into port.
“We regard every threat of mass violence with utmost seriousness,” stated Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, in the announcement. “Hoaxes like this can jeopardize lives, lead to unnecessary expenses, and misuse public safety resources that are essential for dealing with actual threats. My office will not tolerate individuals who deliberately provide false and misleading information resulting in law enforcement action.”
Lowe, 19, from Bailey, Michigan, could face up to five years behind bars if he is found guilty. He will also be responsible for repaying any costs incurred due to the hoax.
No attorney was listed for Lowe in court documents. Carnival has not yet commented on the situation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently looking into the matter.
“Bomb threats are a serious issue and should not be taken lightly,” remarked Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “False threats waste critical law enforcement resources and create unnecessary panic.”