Philadelphia Man Charged in Airport Hoax
| U.S. Attorney’s Office September 07, 2012 |
Kenneth W. Smith, Jr., 26, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by criminal complaint with violating federal law by knowingly engaging in conduct with intent to convey false and misleading information and doing so via telephone, an instrument of commerce. According to the complaint, on September 6, 2012, Smith placed a telephone call reporting an alleged attempt being made to carry an explosive substance onto an aircraft—a federal crime—knowing that the information was false. Smith was arrested by federal agents. He will have an initial appearance in magistrate’s court at 1:30 p.m. today. The investigation is continuing.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible statutory sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and possible restitution.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Philadelphia Police Department; the Transportation Security Administration; and the U.S. Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.