A Michigan teenager has been charged with making a false bomb threat that disrupted a Caribbean cruise earlier this year.
According to news reports, Joshua Darrell Lowe, of Bailey, Michigan, faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
The incident occurred in January 2024 when Carnival Cruise Lines received an email threatening a bomb on board the Sunrise cruise ship.
The email stated, “Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your sunrise cruise ship,” reports cited.
Carnival Sunrise, which had just departed Miami for Jamaica with passengers and crew, was forced to return to port after a thorough search of the vessel.
According to U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, the hoax caused significant disruption and unnecessary expenses.
“Hoaxes can endanger lives, incur needless costs, and divert public safety resources needed to address real threats,” he stated in a press release. “My office has zero tolerance for wrongdoers who intentionally convey false and misleading information that prompts a law enforcement response.”