SALT LAKE CITY — A juvenile has been arrested at Salt Lake City International Airport after the FBI said they allegedly made "terroristic threats" that turned out to be a hoax.
According to release, the FBI says it was informed on March 22 about a social media post that included a photo on-board an aircraft at the airport with a caption saying, "bomb has been planted."
An investigation was able to determine that the threat was a hoax and the flight was not disrupted.
Upon arriving back at Salt Lake City International Airport on March 31, the juvenile was taken into custody and arrested by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The identity of the juvenile is not being released due to them being a minor.
"Issuing a threat — even over social media, via text message, or through email — is taken very seriously and can have devastating consequences for both the public and for the perpetrators," the FBI said. "Hoax threats disrupt school and waste law enforcement resource."
The FBI shared the following tips about what to do should someone see anything threatening online or in person:
- Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats ... period.
- If you are a target of an online threat, alert your local law enforcement immediately.
- If you see a threat of violence posted on social media, immediately contact local law enforcement or your local FBI office.
- Notify authorities, but don’t share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.
- If you are a parent or family member, know that some young people post these threats online as a cry for attention or as a way to get revenge or exert control. Talk to your child about the proper outlet for their stress or other emotions and explain the importance of responsible social media use and the consequences of posting hoax threats.