"Airport site of laptop seizure"

Tuesday, November 2, 2004

Airport site of laptop seizure 
By Francine Sawyer 
The New Bern (NC) Sun Journal 


A man attempting to board a US Airways flight at Craven Regional Airport had
his computer confiscated and blown up Saturday by federal authorities
believing it contained an explosive device.

Tim Flynn, an FBI spokesman, said the 29-year-old Charlotte man was detained
overnight for questioning, but was not charged with any crime. Flynn said
the investigation is under investigation.

Several people questioned about the incident were instructed not to talk
about the matter.

An initial investigation said the Charlotte man was going through screening
to board a US Airways commercial airline for Charlotte around noon.
Investigators say a Transportation Security Administration airport screener
detected 11 positive "hits" on a laptop computer.

After screeners noted the 11 positive hits, the FBI and Cherry Point's
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were notified.

The laptop was X-rayed and the initial findings suggested that a blasting
cap was embedded in the laptop floppy disk drive. According to local
investigators, the Toshiba laptop had two screws missing in the floppy disk
drive of the computer.

"The man complained of lack of sleep and said he was hungry," said Lt.
Marshall Taylor, Craven County sheriff's deputy. "We got him food and let
him sleep."

Sources at the airport Saturday said Cherry Point officials had a robot
device take the computer out of harm's way, where it was blown up.

No blasting cap was discovered in the residue, sources close to the
investigation said.

Larry Scantlin, airport director, said Monday that he knew little about the
incident.

"I know a bomb was not involved," he said.

Scantlin referred questions the Transportation Security Administration,
which in turn referred questions to Scantlin.

Scantlin said it was possible that the man had been handling some sort of
ammunition and the smell remained on the man and his laptop.

"We have had to detain hunters traveling out west this time of year who
might have an ammunition smell on them," Scantlin said.

"We urge all people who might have handled explosive devices before boarding
to wash their hands and be sure their clothes and shoes are clear of any
explosive matter," Scantlin said.


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