Rhode Island Man Sentenced To 2 Years In Federal Prison For Making Fake Bomb Threat On Airplane

Jacksonville, Florida - U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger has sentenced Evan Sims (41, Rhode Island) to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for false information and threats regarding an explosive on an airplane. Sims has been in custody since his arrest on December 6, 2023. The court also ordered Sims to pay $25,478 in restitution to Breeze Airways. Sims pled guilty on March 5, 2024.

According to court documents, Sims was traveling on a flight from Orlando, Florida to Providence, Rhode Island on December 5, 2023. While seated on the plane, prior to takeoff, Sims began arguing with his travel companion. Sims told his travel companion that he had never heard of the airline for the flight and that he hoped the airplane did not "go down." Sims stated that they would be "gone with the wind."

During boarding and the airline safety briefing, Sims made comments to his travel companion about needing to use the emergency doors and that the windows looked like they had not been used. Sims also told his travel companion that he hoped they did not have to use the windows. Further, Sims questioned the flight crew regarding the emergency life raft that was in the overhead storage compartment. Sims's travel companion and the surrounding passengers were uncomfortable with Sims's statements and Sims's travel companion asked Sims to stop making his comments.

As the flight began the initial ascent into the air, Sims partially stood up in his seat and exclaimed that he wanted to get off the plane. While the flight was airborne, Sims stated approximately two times that his travel companion had a bomb on the plane. Thereafter, due to Sims's repeated disturbances and escalating behavior, the flight was diverted to the Jacksonville International Airport. Bomb detection dogs were deployed and searched the plane but did not locate a bomb.

This case was investigated by the Transportation Security Administration, Jacksonville Aviation Authority Airport Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.