JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Rhode Island man accused of making a false bomb threat while on a flight from Orlando causing it to divert to Jacksonville pleaded guilty to making false threats on Tuesday.
Evan Sims, 41, was arrested after Breeze Airways Flight 717 made an emergency landing at Jacksonville International Airport on Dec. 5, 2023. The flight was bound for Rhode Island.
Sims faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for deliberately making a false bomb threat on the flight during an argument with a woman he was flying with.
According to newly released court documents, Sims was arguing with his travel companion, a woman identified as 'TC', on the flight and said twice that she had a bomb on the plane.
READ MORE: He said 'calm' they thought he said 'bomb' he got arrested, flight diverted to Jacksonville
TC repeatedly told Sims to be quiet, noting his comments were making nearby passengers uncomfortable.
"Due to the defendant's repeated disturbances and escalating behavior, the pilot relayed information to Breeze Airways Dispatch Center," the records state. The pilot then announced the flight was being diverted to Jacksonville.
A flight attendant said it appeared Sims was satisfied with the announcement and was smirking in his seat while other passengers appeared upset, according to court records.
Passengers were deplaned at JAX while Sims and TC were detained by law enforcement.
No bomb was located on the plane.
In an interview with FBI agents and TSA, Sims said he made "jokes" about the plane "going down" because he was unfamiliar with Breeze Airways and was nervous about flying.
Sims added he "really wanted to get off the plane because TC broke up with him and he did not want to fly up to Rhode Island anymore," records state.
Passengers said they overheard Sims say the word "bomb" but he suggested he said "calm"
Sims then told investigators he was "only human" and may have used the word bomb once "on accident", according to records.
Towards the end of the interview, Sims asked investigators: "How f*cked am I?"
Along with a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison, Sims faces up to three years of supervised release.
Sims' sentencing date has yet to be set.
