A 31-year-old passenger was arrested Tuesday evening at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after deputies said he told a federal officer he had bombs, then said he was joking.
According to an arrest report, Michael Ryan Knight, of Westminster, Maryland, approached U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Brian Williamson inside Terminal 4 near Gate G5. Investigators said Knight made the statement while other passengers were nearby.
The report says Williamson had earlier seen Knight appearing extremely intoxicated and dancing in the terminal. When Knight tried to walk toward Gate G2 to board his flight, Williamson stopped him until deputies arrived.
Knight told a detective he had four alcoholic drinks while waiting for his flight, the report said. He was booked into the Broward County Jail.
He faces charges of making a false report concerning a bomb, explosive or weapon of mass destruction, and disorderly intoxication in a public place.
