VB woman charged with bomb threat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A Virginia Beach woman who is facing charges after she allegedly told security workers at a North Carolina airport that she had a bomb was released on bond Friday, authorities said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed Danielle Shanese Smith, 25, had been released, adding Smith is not allowed to fly commercially or enter an airport until her case is concluded.

Smith was arrested Wednesday night at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and charged with giving false information. Authorities said Smith told security workers several times that she had a bomb as she another person tried to board a US Airways flight to Norfolk, Va.

Smith's attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment.

The statements caused airport police to close the checkpoint where the threat was made and evacuate all passengers, authorities said. In addition, the flight on which she was booked took off about 20 minutes late, they added.

An affidavit from Roland Morneault, a federal air marshal, said a body scan indicated anomalies on Smith so they asked if she had anything in her pockets. "I have a bomb," the affidavit said she responded.

She repeated the statement, with an expletive added, when asked a second time, the marshal said in the affidavit.

When asked to repeat her statement in front of second officer, Smith did so, the affidavit states. The officers requested a supervisor, who asked her again if she had anything in her pockets.

Smith replied: "a bomb, cuz I am a (expletive) terrorist," according to the document.

Although officers found no explosive, they said Smith had "an intense stare" and "a non-joking demeanor" that made theme believe her threat was credible, the affidavit said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Smith, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of a $250,000 fine, five years in prison or both. In addition, the airport police charged Smith with disorderly conduct.