CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Charleston Airport authorities said a 20-year-old man was arrested after he told officials over the weekend he had a bomb.
According to jail records, Thomas Brienza, 20, of New York State, is charged with possession or threat to use a weapon of mass destruction in a terrorist act.
On Saturday, Brienza approached two airport officers and said he “didn’t want any trouble, but he had a bomb and a belt,” an incident report states. He also told authorities he had fentanyl in the car parked outside.
Brienza initially told officers he was nervous and was taking a plane to New York. He then changed his statement and said he and another friend were just dropping someone off.
The incident report states that Brienza mumbled his words and appeared nervous.
Officers noticed that the man was wearing black Ray-Ban sunglasses and had a camera inside him that was apparently recording. When asked if the camera was recording, he told officers “yes,” that it was for his YouTube channel, and that he did not have a bomb on him.
Brienza was handcuffed and detained for further questioning. In his pockets, officers found only a glasses case and an e-cigarette.
During questioning, Brienza told authorities that he travels to different locations for his YouTube and TikTok channels to play pranks on police, gas station employees and other people he meets.
Officers also searched his friend’s vehicle and found no evidence of weapons or drugs.
The incident report states that during the investigation, the FBI was contacted and a search warrant was obtained for his iPhone and Ray-Ban sunglasses.
“Mr. Brienza was very cooperative in our custody and stated that he was unaware of the seriousness of his actions when he first made his statement,” an officer wrote in the report.
On Tuesday, officials spoke with FBI agents to learn whether Brienza would be banned from flying. Agents said that was likely because of the charges.
The incident report states Brienza’s cellphone will remain in the custody of the Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department until the FBI or a local agency can analyze it.
Brienza was held at the Al Cannon Detention Center on $100,000 bail. He has since been released.
It is unclear whether Brienza has been placed on a no-fly list.
The incident remains under investigation.
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