Airport schemer charged

last updated 8 January 2015

Baltimore

A 20-year-old college student who said he wanted to expose weaknesses in the nation’s air-security system was charged this week with carrying concealed weapons on an aircraft. Nathaniel Travis Heatwole admitted in an affidavit that he took box cutters, matches, and simulated explosives onto six flights. He was never stopped by security screeners, and embarrassed authorities only learned of his actions weeks later, through notes Heatwole left with the items and a signed e-mail he sent to officials. “This was not a prank,” U.S. Attorney Thomas DiBlagio said. “This was a crime.” Heatwole faces up to 10 years in prison.