A Monroe, Michigan resident, John Charles Robinson, was arrested following a criminal complaint for making a false bomb threat involving a Spirit Airlines flight departing from Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The announcement came from United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., alongside Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI's Detroit Division.
The affidavit states that on June 5, 2025, at around 6:25 am, Robinson used a cellphone to call Spirit Airlines with false information about a bomb threat concerning Flight 2145 headed to Los Angeles. During the call, he reportedly said, “I was calling about 2145… because I have information about that flight,” and claimed there would be an attempt to blow up the airport and the flight itself. Following these statements, he described an individual allegedly carrying a bomb through TSA and insisted that it would not be detected.
In response to the threat, Flight 2145 was canceled immediately, passengers and crew were deplaned, and bomb-sniffing dogs along with FBI agents searched the aircraft but found no explosives.
Further investigation revealed that Robinson had been booked on Flight 2145 but missed it after being told to rebook at the gate. He was arrested by FBI agents upon returning to the airport for another flight bound for Los Angeles.
U.S. Attorney Gorgon emphasized the seriousness of such threats: “No American wants to hear the words ‘bomb’ and ‘airplane’ in the same sentence. Making this kind of threat undermines our collective sense of security and wastes valuable law enforcement resources.”
Cheyvoryea Gibson added that threats against aircraft safety are taken seriously: “Anyone who threatens to bomb an aircraft and endanger public safety will be swiftly investigated and brought to justice.” He highlighted the coordinated response involving multiple agencies leading to Robinson's arrest as he attempted to board another flight.
Robinson appeared in federal court in Detroit later in the day and was released on bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 27 for a preliminary examination. It is important to note that charges in a complaint are merely allegations until proven guilty in court.
The case is under investigation by FBI special agents with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hank Moon and Douglas Salzenstein.
