Allegiant flight forced to return to airport over passenger's terrifying remark to stranger
Taj Taylor, 27, made the terrifying threat to another passenger on Allegiant flight 1023 departing from the St. Pete Clearwater Airport in Florida to Roanoke, Virginia on Sunday, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
The passenger he threatened immediately notified flight attendants and after just 40 minutes in the air, the plane was diverted back to St. Petersburg.
The sheriff's office K9 unit searched Taylor's belongings and fortunately came up empty-handed.
Other passengers also reported hearing Taylor make the bone-chilling threats. Footage from those on the flight revealed the moments officers entered the plane and approached Taylor.
The suspect stood up in his chair and removed his earphones as officers questioned him about the threats.
Another video from inside the airport revealed Taylor walking with his hands behind his back down the tarmac.
Three officers were seen escorting him off the plane. Once a new crew boarded the Allegiant flight, the plane took off for Roanoke.
Flight logs showed that the plane landed back in Clearwater at 2:08pm and finally got back in the air at 6:26pm.
Taylor was hit with felony charges of making threats and false information in the first degree.
He was arrested and booked in jail on Sunday night. Taylor was released the same day and the case was taken over by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
Taylor hasn't yet entered a plea, according to court records. Daily Mail reached out to the FBI for an update on the case.
Social media accounts associated with Taylor have him listed as a seminary student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Liberty is a private evangelical college and is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.
Social media accounts with Taylor's name have him listed as a seminary student at Liberty University and a veteran of the Air Force
According to his Instagram bio, he graduated from Virginia State University and is an ordained clergyman. He also states that he is a veteran of the Air Force.
Taylor's last post on Facebook is a video of his sermon on Father's Day. He doesn't have a violent criminal record other than charges from traffic court, according to Pinellas County court records.
He was previously in court for operating a vehicle without insurance and speeding, among other minor traffic infractions.
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