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Mock bomb sparks Albuquerque Airport lockdown
Saturday, 13 Sep, 2016
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An employee for the Department of Energy’s National Labs has been placed under arrest for attempting to fly with a mock explosive device that he knew would cause a security alert.
According to a criminal complaint, Jeremy Danielson was on his way to a Department of Energy conference in Washington, DC where he planned to present the device.
After being questioned by TSA agents at Albuquerque Airport, he said he knew it would cause a security scare and planned to explain this to TSA agents.
The security checkpoint was evacuated and the airport was put on temporarily lockdown when the device was discovered which led to delays to about six flights.
This all happened on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
"It encompassed just over two hours, which for something like this was a relatively short time frame considering all that had to be done. I think all the partners involved, from TSA to the city, to the airlines worked together and did their best to get folks where going and needed to be," said airport spokesman Dan Jiron.
The criminal complaint alleges Danielson took the item to the airport ‘with the intent of any other person thinking it was a real explosive device.’
Danielson worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The federal agency confirmed Danielson was travelling on business but gave no details on the device itself.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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