Knoxville Man Arrested After Bomb Threat on I-75
Tuesday, June 01, 2010 | 04:53am
THP Criminal Investigations Division Cracks Case; Arrests Suspect
NASHVILLE---Special Agent Matthew Minter of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested a Knoxville man Friday morning after he allegedly made a bomb threat phone call to a Knoxville couple on the evening of Monday, May 17. Detective Mike Lawson of the Knoxville City Police Department also assisted in the case.
CID Investigators allege 21-year old Travis Scott Russell called the couple while they were driving, and stated there was an explosive device under their vehicle. Russell continued to explain that the bomb would detonate if the car speed dropped below 50 miles per hour. The couple along with their two small children traveled approximately 85 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee to Cleveland, Tennessee on Interstate-75 for fear the car might explode. The vehicle was followed by THP and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies until the couple were safely stopped on I-75 south near the 20 mile marker. No bomb was found.
Investigators revealed Russell disguised his voice and altered the cell phone number that appeared on the caller ID by using a “cell phone spoof” application. Special Agent Minter searched the phone records and determined that Russell placed the calls.
Russell was booked into the Knox County Jail and has been charged with a Class C felony. His first court appearance will be within 10 days of the arrest date in Knoxville.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.
###