A Colorado man is facing charges that are equivalent to Weld County Disorderly Conduct (CRS 18-9-106) after he joked about a possible bomb in the luggage of his traveling companion as they got ready to board a plane heading from Alaska to Denver. This could happen to passengers traveling from Greeley, Platteville, or Keenesburg who make similar jokes in airports. According to reports, the airport screener mislabeled his friend’s bag and instead put his name on it. He kidded around with the screener suggesting that his friend’s bag held a bomb. The screener panicked and the entire terminal closed. Authorities brought the man in for questioning and suspended all flights for three hours. After it was decided that he was not serious with his threat, they allowed the airport to resume its business, but not before they hauled him to jail and charged him with misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct.
Authorities are trying to decide if this man deserves to face felony charges of Making Terroristic Threats or Menacing (CRS 18-3-206): all charges that may be derived from the Disorderly Conduct allegations. If that is the case, he would most likely lose his job as he is not allowed to leave Alaska due to his approaching court dates.
In this post 9/11 world, people joking around about bombs or other terrorist threats need to find a new avenue for their humor. Authorities take every comment seriously, regardless of context. In this case, the man had the right to be worried, because if something had been in his friend’s case, his name was on the baggage ticket. He wasn’t prepared for the firestorm a joking comment about a bomb would bring.
If you are approached by police or pressed with charges over innocent comments that they seem as a threat, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the O’Malley Law office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.