United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Mock bomb sparks Albuquerque Airport lockdown
Saturday, 13 Sep, 2016
0
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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights