After a hoax bomb threat back in April led to the evacuation of thousands from the Statute of Liberty, federal prosecutors arrested a man in Texas on Wednesday.
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“It’s a huge drain on resources, and to call in a hoax threat holds a maximum of five years penalty, which this suspect is facing at this time”, said David Orozco of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Identifying himself only as “Isis allah Bomb maker,” Smith used the same iPad to place other 911 calls based on false pretenses, including once for a bomb threat for Times Square and another to threaten the lives of police officers near the Brooklyn Bridge, according to NBC New York. They evacuated tourists and others from the island, and ultimately determined the bombing threat was unfounded. The incident precipitated the evacuation of more than 3,200 people from Liberty Island in New York Harbor.
Abdul Yasin is the real name of a terrorist that was charged with the bombing of the World Trade Center in February 1993. The statue opened to the public the next day itself.
Hirst’s review of communication records found that the iPad registered in Smith’s name had been used to make additional 911 calls.
Jason Paul Smith faces presentment this afternoon before a federal judge for the Northern District of Texas after his arrest in Lubbock, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. The agent said Smith had also attended a school for the deaf. He made use of a service meant for the hearing impaired in order to make the emergency call.
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In 2006, he was also convicted of threatening to bomb or burn buildings and of calling emergency services without just cause. Yasin fled a week later to Amman, Jordan, after which he was indicted and been placed on the FBI’s list of most wanted terrorists.
