ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) — A 23-year-old man has been charged with maliciously providing false information about an explosive device after he attempted to delay a Spirit Airlines flight from Detroit to Los Angeles by calling in a bomb threat. Authorities reported that the incident unfolded on Thursday morning at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

According to the FBI, the man made the threatening phone call in hopes that any resultant delay would allow him enough time to board the flight he had missed earlier. The call prompted immediate action from law enforcement, leading to a full evacuation of the plane and a thorough investigation.

Passengers aboard the Spirit Airlines flight experienced significant disruption as they were removed from the aircraft, interviewed, and screened again for safety. The incident resulted in the flight being delayed for approximately six hours before it could finally depart. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. emphasized the serious nature of such threats, stating, “Making this kind of threat undermines our collective sense of security and wastes valuable law enforcement resources.”

The FBI was able to trace the threat back to the man through phone records, which connected him directly to the call. He was apprehended later that evening when he returned to the airport for an alternate flight. In court filings, the FBI revealed that the suspect confessed to making the call primarily to buy himself additional time to catch the originally scheduled flight.

The situation highlights not only the panic caused by such threats but also the extensive resources required to handle them, as law enforcement agencies must act swiftly to ensure the safety of all travelers. The man's actions have led to serious legal consequences, reflecting the gravity of making false threats in a post-9/11 world where strict security measures are implemented at airports across the nation.