A United Airlines flight was diverted back to Las Vegas over the weekend after a passenger allegedly sent a text message threatening to hijack the plane. Dante Milne, 25, was arrested Saturday on charges of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism.
According to a criminal complaint, Milne, a trainee welder from Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, sent a text message stating, “I’m gonna hijack this bitch and crash ur row only,” while on a flight from Las Vegas to Newark. A flight attendant reportedly saw the message and alerted the captain, which led to the plane returning to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
Milne told investigators he had consumed alcohol at the airport bar before boarding the flight. He stated that the text was intended as “banter between coworkers” and that he did not intend to hijack the aircraft. He reportedly fell asleep on the flight and only realized the plane was returning to Las Vegas after he awoke.
The flight, a Boeing 737 carrying 150 passengers and six crew members, had departed Las Vegas approximately 15 minutes prior to the diversion. Milne was not confronted on the aircraft but was apprehended by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police upon the plane's arrival on the tarmac. An inspection of the aircraft revealed no security threats.
Milne was released on $10,000 bail from the Clark County Detention Center. His attorney informed the court that Milne intends to plead not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 5.