25 October 2004 LAWFUEL – Law, legal, US Attorney, crime newsMarcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Jesus Torres, Special Agent in Charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announced today the arrest of defendants, Mizael Cabral and Daniel Correa, for making a false bomb threat at Miami International Airport. The federal criminal complaint charges the defendants, knowing that the information about the bomb threat was false, with willfully and maliciously, and with reckless disregard for the safety of human life, giving false information about that threat, in violation of Title 49, United States Code, Section 46507.
If the defendants are convicted on this charge, they each face a maximum statutory term of imprisonment of five (5) years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
On October 26, 2004, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the defendants, who were scheduled to board a flight from Miami to Brazil, arrived at a security checkpoint at Miami International Airport. While at the checkpoint, the defendants turned over their luggage to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners for inspection. After Cabral’s luggage was passed through an x-ray machine, it was chosen for further inspection. As the TSA screener took possession of Cabral’s luggage, Cabral asked the screener handling the bag, “Did you find the bomb in the bag yet?” Correa then stated, “If you open the bag, it will explode.”
Mr. Jiménez stated, “In these times of an elevated threat level, the security of our ports of entry is a high priority. We will aggressively prosecute anyone who actually or falsely threatens that security.”
Mr. Jesus Torres said, “ICE remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners in protecting the American public from actual and false security threats to our ports of entry.”
“This case demonstrates the cooperative efforts among law enforcement agencies involved in the protection of our national transportation system,” said Rick Thomas, Miami International Airport Federal Security Director, Transportation Security Administration.
Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as the efforts of the Transportation Security Administration and Miami-Dade Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Lagoa.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls