US Navy Engineer Arrested for Bomb Threat on Hawaiian Airlines Flight

A 35-year-old engineer from the US Navy has been taken into custody following a bomb threat made on a Hawaiian Airlines flight set to depart from San Diego. The San Diego Port Police Department confirmed his arrest after the incident that occurred on Tuesday.

According to authorities, the suspect, John Stey, allegedly informed a flight attendant that a passenger nearby had a bomb. This prompted the flight attendant to alert the captain about the potential threat to Flight 15, which was bound for Honolulu, Hawaii.

A spokesman for the US Third Fleet mentioned that Stey, who was part of Maritime Expedition Security Group 1, was apprehended by the San Diego Harbor Police. The threat had, understandably, shifted the focus of the flight crew and airport officials.

The safety of passengers and crew is a top priority for the Navy, the spokesperson stated, stressing that such threats are taken very seriously and that they fully cooperate with local and federal law enforcement.

The response to the threat involved multiple agencies, including the Maritime Tactics Team, a K-9 team, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The San Diego Fire Department also played a role in securing the scene as they conducted a thorough search of the aircraft.

After the captain safely parked the plane away from the terminal, all 293 passengers were evacuated and transported to a secure area. The entire aircraft, including luggage, was cleared by the K-9 unit.

John Stey faces serious charges, including making false bomb threats. While on board, another naval officer, Isai Solorzano, recounted how law enforcement boarded the aircraft and questioned passengers about their belongings.

In a surprising twist, Solorzano observed an immediate reaction when one man stood up; he was quickly handcuffed and removed from the flight.