A New Jersey man whose text message about hijacking a plane forced the aircraft to return to Las Vegas has claimed the missive was merely "banter between coworkers." Dante Milne, 25, was arrested Saturday on charges of making a threat or offering false information in an act of terrorism after sending the text message while onboard United Airlines Flight 1681.
Milne's attorney, James Gallo, stated that Milne intends to plead not guilty. According to police, Milne consumed alcohol at Harry Reid International Airport before boarding the flight to Newark, New Jersey. He then exchanged text messages with another passenger from a three-day apprenticeship training program associated with his work as an underwater welder. In one of these messages, Milne allegedly wrote, "I'm gonna hijack this b***h and crash ur row only."
When questioned by police, Milne characterized the wording as poorly stated and suggested the conversation involved banter between coworkers. He denied intending to hijack the aircraft, crash it, or harm anyone, according to the arrest report.
However, a flight attendant noticed the incoming message on the other passenger's phone, which began with the words "I'm gonna hijack." Believing it to be a potential security threat, the flight attendant notified the lead attendant. The crew waited until the aircraft passed 10,000 feet to inform the captain, which is consistent with sterile flight deck procedures. The captain then reported the incident to air traffic control.
The pilot informed an air traffic controller that a flight attendant reported the text message, leading to the decision to return to Las Vegas. The pilot noted that the passenger was unaware of the developing situation and was compliant.
Milne later told police he had been asleep and awoke to learn the flight was returning to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, federal authorities confronted Milne on the plane and took him into custody. Initially, Milne said he could not recall the content of the text messages, but when confronted with the hijacking threat message, he reiterated his denial of any malicious intent.
The police report indicates Milne acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and expressed remorse. He was booked into the Clark County Jail and has since been released on bail, with conditions to stay out of trouble.
The 149 other passengers had to wait in Las Vegas overnight because the flight crew had exceeded their mandated operating hours. The flight eventually departed for Newark on Sunday morning. Milne is due back in court on January 5.