Passenger Said 'Hijack' Text Was Banter With Co-Worker

A passenger arrested for texting that he was going to "hijack" the plane he was on told officers the message was banter with a co-worker and denied intending to harm anyone, according to a police report. The United plane headed to Newark, New Jersey, was diverted back to Las Vegas shortly after takeoff Saturday night after a flight attendant spotted the text, and Dante Milne, 25, was taken into custody. Milne was charged with making a threat or offering false information in reference to an act of terrorism. His attorney, James Gallo, told the AP that he was still evaluating his client's case but Milne plans to plead not guilty.

The flight attendant told Las Vegas police she had first noticed two passengers exchanging text messages during boarding that included derogatory remarks about other passengers and attendants. She later saw an incoming message that began with "I'm gonna hijack," and she notified the lead flight attendant, according to the police report. The sender was later identified as Milne, the report said. Police said the full message read: "I'm gonna hijack this b---- and crash ur row only." Once the aircraft passed 10,000 feet, the captain was notified, the report said, noting that was "consistent with sterile flight deck procedures."

• Milne, a resident of Woodridge, New Jersey, told officers he was in Las Vegas for a three-day apprenticeship training program associated with his work as an underwater welder, according to the arrest report. He said he consumed beer and shots at an airport bar and intended to sleep during the flight, the report said. He said he was asleep on the flight when he woke up and learned the flight was returning back to Las Vegas.
• Milne acknowledged exchanging texts with the other passenger, who he'd met at the training program, but initially said he couldn't recall the content, the police report said. "When questioned about the reported hijacking message, Milne characterized the wording as poorly stated and suggested the conversation involved banter between coworkers," the report said. "Milne denied intending to hijack the aircraft, crash it, or harm anyone."
• The police report said Milne expressed remorse and acknowledged the seriousness of the plane having to turn around, KVUU reports. Milne has posted bond on $20,000 bail and is due back in court on Jan. 5.