Man Jailed for Hoax Bomb Threats That Left 225 Amtrak Passengers Stranded in Orlando!
A man’s fake bomb threats on an Amtrak train sparked panic, halted travel, and landed him in federal prison for three years. 🌐 #News #OrlandoFL #Florida #Crime
ORLANDO, FL – Passengers aboard an Amtrak train traveling from Florida to New York faced an unexpected ordeal when their trip was interrupted by bomb threats—threats that turned out to be an elaborate hoax by one of their fellow travelers. The man behind the disruption, 25-year-old Grotez Simpson from New York, has now been sentenced to three years in federal prison for the false alarms that derailed their journey.
Hoax Bomb Threats Turn Train Ride into Chaos
On May 25, 2022, Simpson boarded Amtrak’s 92 Silver Star train in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, setting off a two-day spree of false bomb claims. As the train rolled toward New York City, Simpson began texting Amtrak’s “Txt-a-Tip” service, repeatedly warning that a bomb was stashed inside another passenger’s luggage. To bolster his claim, he said he was a military veteran with experience recognizing explosive devices.
Simpson’s urgent messages begged Amtrak to stop the train immediately.
Search Operation Strands Passengers in Orlando
Simpson’s relentless bomb claims prompted a swift response from Amtrak Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities halted the train just outside Orlando, forcing Simpson and 225 other passengers to evacuate. For five tense hours, officers searched every corner of the train, but no bomb or suspicious items were found.
With no evidence of danger, passengers reboarded the train, likely relieved—but the drama wasn’t over.
The FBI Intervenes After New Threats Surface
The following morning, on May 26, Simpson reignited fear by sending more messages about a bomb being on board. This time, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force stepped in, quickly tracing the messages to Simpson. When the Silver Star made its next scheduled stop in Raleigh, North Carolina, FBI agents arrested him on the spot.
Prison Sentence for Disrupting Mass Transit
Simpson was convicted of conveying false information about an attempted attack on mass transportation, a serious federal offense. He received a sentence of three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
What began as an ordinary train ride turned into a nightmare for 225 passengers—all because of one man’s dangerous game. Law enforcement’s swift action ensured that Simpson’s ride ended where it should have: in the custody of federal agents.
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