Friday, September 7, 2012

A love triangle may have led to the hoax threat that prompted authorities to turn around a US Airways flight that was on its way from Philadelphia to Dallas yesterday.

Authorities say Kenneth Smith called police at the Philadelphia airport yesterday to report that a passenger heading to Texas was carrying a liquid explosive.

The plane, which had gone about 90 miles, was brought back to Philadelphia, where it was surrounded by police. A passenger, Christopher Shell, was taken off at gunpoint. Authorities later said he had done nothing wrong.

According to an affidavit, he told police during questioning that he'd been involved in a feud that also involved his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, named "Kenny." He said he had traded "hostile messages" on his cellphone with the ex-girlfriend.

He gave police the name of Smith's workplace, where he was questioned. Authorities say Smith admitting making the call from a payphone, to get even with Shell for posting a compromising picture of the ex-girlfriend on Facebook.

Smith is facing charges that could bring up to 10 years in prison.

As for Shell, he finally made it to Dallas -- where he was arrested, but not in connection with the hoax. He had outstanding warrants for two drug possession charges.