Michigan man charged after allegedly emailing bomb threat to Carnival cruise ship

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- a 19-year-old Michigan man has officially been charged with making a false bomb threat after he allegedly told crews there was a bomb onboard a Carnival cruise back in January. 

Joshua Darrell Lowe Jr., or Baily, Mich., was indicted on criminal charges related to the bomb hoax on Wednesday.

“We take every threat of mass violence seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Hoaxes can endanger lives, incur needless costs, and divert public safety resources needed to address real threats. My office has zero tolerance for wrongdoers who intentionally convey false and misleading information that prompts a law enforcement response.”

Lowe is accused of sending an email to the cruise line which read, "Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your sunrise cruise ship.”

The cruise ship, named the Sunrise, had just departed Miami with a full crew and thousands of passengers and crew.

They received the threat while sailing toward Jamaica and, as a result of the message, the ship’s crew individually searched over a thousand staterooms.

The company also alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and Jamaican authorities, whose Marine Police escorted the ship to port.

“Bomb threats are not a laughing matter and are extremely irresponsible,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “When individuals make false hoax threats, they divert critical law enforcement resources and spread unnecessary fear. The FBI takes all threats to life seriously and will ensure that those who resort to this kind of intimidation face the appropriate consequences.”

If convicted, Lowe faces a penalty of up to five years in prison and will be required to pay restitution for expenses associated with the hoax.