Former Silicon Valley star T.J. Miller has been charged with calling in a false bomb threat on an Amtrak train. Miller was arrested Monday night at LaGuardia Airport in New York for allegedly reporting a false bomb threat back in March, according to the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
He was charged with “intentionally conveying to law enforcement false information about an explosive device on a train traveling to Connecticut.” He appeared on Tuesday before a U.S. district judge in New Haven and was released on a $100,000 bond. The charge carries a maximum five-year prison term.
According to a press release from authorities, the comedian allegedly called 911 on March 18 in New Jersey, and reported that he was on an Amtrak Train traveling from Washington, D.C., toward New York City’s Penn Station, and that a female passenger “has a bomb in her bag.” A bomb squad found no trace of any explosive devices on the train.
The office who spoke to Miller suspected he was under the influence after he kept changing his description of the woman. The actor told the officer, “This is the first time I’ve ever made a call like this before. I am worried for everyone on this train. Someone has to check this lady out.”
Investigators found the star had actually been traveling on a different train than the one he reported. Inspectors examined the second train and found no explosive materials, again. One Amtrak attendant said Miller had been removed from the train in New York because he was intoxicated. “The attendant also advised that Miller had been involved in hostile exchanges with a woman who was sitting in a different row from him in the First Class car,” according to a press release.
The accusation alleges that Miller, motivated by a grudge against a woman, called 911 to communicate false information about a bomb on the train.
The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Connecticut State Police, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Amtrak Police Department and WestPort Police Department.
Miller and his team have yet to comment.
Miller left after season 4 of HBO’s Silicon Valley after a mutual agreement with the producers. He also recently wrapped Deadpool 2 and is set for a voice role in How To Train Your Dragon 3.