Deltona Pastor Charged After Calling Bible A 'Bomb' At Airport

Doglips · 10-20-2004, 02:19 PM

Deltona Pastor Charged After Calling Bible A 'Bomb' At Airport

POSTED: 1:49 pm EDT October 20, 2004
UPDATED: 1:55 pm EDT October 20, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Seventh-day Adventist pastor from central Florida says he was "just kidding" when he told airport security he had a bomb, reached into his luggage and pulled out a Bible, declaring, "This is my bomb."

Jose L. Gonzalez, a citizen of Spain who is living in Deltona, Fla., was arrested and charged Sunday with making a false statement.

The incident occurred as security screeners at the Nashville International Airport were searching his carry-on bag.

Gonzalez, a passenger on an Orlando, Fla.-bound Delta flight, had already raised suspicion when screeners found a laptop computer that he said at first he didn't have.

An investigation determined that Gonzalez did not pose a threat, but the FBI still arrested and charged him with making the statement.

"Upon being questioned by airport security officers about the above episode, Gonzalez admitted having said that he had a bomb," a federal criminal complaint states, "but insisted that he was just kidding.

"He claimed he had used the term 'bomb' as a way of referring to the Bible as having the ability to change one's life," the complaint states. "He admitted that it had been stupid and that he had not intended any harm."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Cliff Knowles presided over Gonzalez's initial court appearance Tuesday and advised him that, if convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a potential fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Hester did not ask Knowles to keep Gonzalez in custody pending his trial, citing "the rather unique facts of this case."

And Gonzalez's public defender, David Baker, asked if the defendant could continue his work-related travel in Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas and Virginia on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist's General Conference, which oversees its worldwide operations.

Knowles agreed, as long as Gonzalez gets prior travel approval from U.S probation officers.

Gonzalez was released on a $10,000 unsecured bail, meaning that he would be liable for that amount if he misses a court date.

Gonzalez had little to say at the brief court hearing, and although he speaks English, he relied on an interpreter throughout the proceedings.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

BattleRifleG3 · 10-20-2004, 10:49 PM

"arrested and charged Sunday with making a false statement."

Watch out guys, now when you tell your wife her dress looks great while you really hate it, you'll be charged with "making a false statement."

toolman · 10-20-2004, 10:57 PM

[quote=BattleRifleG3

Watch out guys, now when you tell your wife her dress looks great while you really hate it, you'll be charged with "making a false statement."[/QUOTE]

LOL, I quess the old "does this make my butt look big" question could be grounds for capital punishment!

Big Dog · 10-21-2004, 05:10 AM

Don't blame the TSA on this one. Making such a statement in an airport has always been an arresting offense. I let a few morons off with a warning, but if they were really stupid, they got hauled off in cuffs. It is no laughing matter.

NorCalAshnjikov · 10-21-2004, 06:18 AM

.oO( Now how to get those jehova witnesses to say that? )

Big Dog · 10-21-2004, 11:22 AM

And whatever happened to all those funny Hairy Krishnas? They used to be fun to screw around with. Did they all pull a "Jim Jones"?

10-20-2004, 02:19 PM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,090 Trader Rating: (0)	Deltona Pastor Charged After Calling Bible A 'Bomb' At Airport Deltona Pastor Charged After Calling Bible A 'Bomb' At Airport POSTED: 1:49 pm EDT October 20, 2004 UPDATED: 1:55 pm EDT October 20, 2004 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Seventh-day Adventist pastor from central Florida says he was "just kidding" when he told airport security he had a bomb, reached into his luggage and pulled out a Bible, declaring, "This is my bomb." Jose L. Gonzalez, a citizen of Spain who is living in Deltona, Fla., was arrested and charged Sunday with making a false statement. The incident occurred as security screeners at the Nashville International Airport were searching his carry-on bag. Gonzalez, a passenger on an Orlando, Fla.-bound Delta flight, had already raised suspicion when screeners found a laptop computer that he said at first he didn't have. An investigation determined that Gonzalez did not pose a threat, but the FBI still arrested and charged him with making the statement. "Upon being questioned by airport security officers about the above episode, Gonzalez admitted having said that he had a bomb," a federal criminal complaint states, "but insisted that he was just kidding. "He claimed he had used the term 'bomb' as a way of referring to the Bible as having the ability to change one's life," the complaint states. "He admitted that it had been stupid and that he had not intended any harm." U.S. Magistrate Judge Cliff Knowles presided over Gonzalez's initial court appearance Tuesday and advised him that, if convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a potential fine of $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Hester did not ask Knowles to keep Gonzalez in custody pending his trial, citing "the rather unique facts of this case." And Gonzalez's public defender, David Baker, asked if the defendant could continue his work-related travel in Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas and Virginia on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist's General Conference, which oversees its worldwide operations. Knowles agreed, as long as Gonzalez gets prior travel approval from U.S probation officers. Gonzalez was released on a $10,000 unsecured bail, meaning that he would be liable for that amount if he misses a court date. Gonzalez had little to say at the brief court hearing, and although he speaks English, he relied on an interpreter throughout the proceedings. Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

10-20-2004, 10:49 PM	#2
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Trader Rating: (0)	"arrested and charged Sunday with making a false statement." Watch out guys, now when you tell your wife her dress looks great while you really hate it, you'll be charged with "making a false statement." __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-20-2004, 10:57 PM	#3
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,354 Trader Rating: (0)	[quote=BattleRifleG3 Watch out guys, now when you tell your wife her dress looks great while you really hate it, you'll be charged with "making a false statement."[/QUOTE] LOL, I quess the old "does this make my butt look big" question could be grounds for capital punishment! __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

10-21-2004, 05:10 AM	#4
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,063 Trader Rating: (0)	Don't blame the TSA on this one. Making such a statement in an airport has always been an arresting offense. I let a few morons off with a warning, but if they were really stupid, they got hauled off in cuffs. It is no laughing matter. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-21-2004, 11:22 AM	#6
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,063 Trader Rating: (0)	And whatever happened to all those funny Hairy Krishnas? They used to be fun to screw around with. Did they all pull a "Jim Jones"? __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-21-2004, 06:18 AM	#5
NorCalAshnjikov Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 688 Trader Rating: (0)	.oO( Now how to get those jehova witnesses to say that? )