The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Man accused of texting hijacking threats, racial slurs on Las Vegas flight claimed it was ‘banter between coworkers’
The man accused of texting terroristic threats and racial slurs to another passenger on a plane from Las Vegas to New Jersey told police it was just “banter between coworkers,” accordin…
A man travelling on United Flight 1681 from Las Vegas to Newark was accused of sending threatening messages and racial slurs to another passenger, prompting police involvement after the aircraft turned back to Las Vegas.
The incident occurred on Oct. 24, when the plane took off from Harry Reid International Airport with about 157 passengers aboard and later returned to Las Vegas following reports of terroristic threats on the flight.
Authorities say a flight attendant observed the suspect texting derogatory comments about Hispanic passengers and racial slurs relating to flight attendants of color, then alerted the crew to the potential hijack threat. The pilot coordinated with air traffic control and decided to return to Las Vegas.
Upon landing, two passengers, including Dante Milne of Clifton, New Jersey, were escorted off the aircraft as police investigated. Milne later told officers he was in Las Vegas for an underwater welding apprenticeship and that the messages were “banter between coworkers,” acknowledging the seriousness of the aircraft returning.
Milne was arrested on a felony charge for making threats or false information involving an act of terrorism and was later released on bail. His next court appearance was scheduled for January 5, 2027, with conditions to stay out of trouble.
The flight eventually resumed to Newark and arrived at its destination, but the disruption impacted flight operations, crew time, fuel use, and coordination with airport personnel and law enforcement. No injuries were reported on board.