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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Magazine solutions - July 4, 2025 / July 11, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - July 4, 2025 / July 11, 2025
-
Magazine printables - July 4, 2025 / July 11, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - July 4, 2025 / July 11, 2025
-
Controversial GOP plan to sell millions of federal acres hits major roadblockIN THE SPOTLIGHT Republican Sen. Mike Lee says he'll revisit legislation to sell millions of acres of federally held land to create 'freedom zones' of single family homes
