SkyWest flight attendant charged with terrorizing for fabricating story about suspicious bag

A 21-year-old flight attendant has been charged with terrorizing for allegedly fabricating a story about a suspicious bag found on a plane that then made an emergency landing in North Dakota.

Authorities allege Justin Cox-Sever tied a plastic bag under a rear seat in the SkyWest Airlines plane and told the flight crew it was "beeping."

KXMB-TV reports the pilot declared an in-flight emergency, which led to the landing in Dickinson.

After passengers and the flight crew exited, deputies called for assistance from the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Bismarck Bomb Squad. Bomb squad members determined the bag wasn't a threat.

SkyWest says Cox-Sever has been placed on administrative leave pending a police investigation.

Terrorizing is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

(Associated Press)