A man from Chicago allegedly called in a hoax bomb threat to Disney Cruise Line late last year, leading to an indictment by a federal grand jury in Orlando — though he wants the case moved to Illinois.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the charge Tuesday against Daquan Smith, 20, with interstate transmission of a threat, which carries up to a five-year prison sentence if he’s convicted. Smith pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday.
The alleged threat quoted in the indictment, which investigators said was called in from Smith’s cellphone on Dec. 6, makes mention of a bomb on a boat “coming from the Bahamas that left two days ago.”
“I’m letting you guys know now I have a bomb on the boat, and I want to blow it up,” the indictment quoted Smith’s alleged threat. A spokesperson for Disney Cruise Line didn’t immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
After authorities identified Smith as the caller, he and his mother spoke to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the matter. According to a report of the conversation filed in court, Smith told the agents he had called Disney Cruise Line, the last number to call him, after receiving spam calls throughout the day.
It’s not clear whether the threat prompted evacuations at the time. The threat was not reported on the day prosecutors alleged it took place.
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“Smith made the call out of frustration with spam phone calls but had no intention to cause harm to Disney Cruise Line or anyone else,” the report said.
Smith was arrested July in Illinois and released on bond. He was in Chicago when prosecutors said he made the call, prompting his attorney to file a motion to dismiss the Orlando case and have it moved to Illinois.
A document filed in his defense showed the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office initially took on the investigation, but a detective told the FBI in February that it was “unable to prosecute” the case “because it was outside their jurisdiction.”
His attorney is also seeking to suppress Smith’s interview with the FBI, as it was not recorded and conducted without the agents reading his Miranda rights.
A judge has yet to decide on either motion. Smith’s next hearing is set to take place Oct. 13.
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