David P. Socha, 17, of Paxton, covers his head while being escorted past his family after his arraignment in East Boston District Court on a charge of making a false bomb threat while boarding a flight with his family at Logan International Airport today. Socha was released on his own recognizance. (AP Photo)

Teen arrested at Logan after note found in luggage

By Associated Press, 8/1/2003

BOSTON -- State police arrested a teenage boy at Logan International Airport on Friday morning after security officials found a note containing a reference to a bomb inside his luggage.

David Socha, 17, of Paxton, was on his way to Honolulu with his parents, but was arrested after security screeners found a profanity-laced note in his checked luggage, said Ann Davis, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration.

The note said, "Have you found the bomb yet?" and then, "Nope, just clothes," according to Davis.

"Naturally, they searched his bag, and there was nothing else in the bag, but even if it was a prank, we take it very seriously," Davis said.

Screeners notified state police, who arrested Socha aboard United Airlines Flight 171 before it departed.

Socha was arraigned in East Boston District Court on a charge of making a terrorist threat under a state law passed in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was released on personal recognizance, and is due back in court Sept. 26.