Man pleads not guilty in alleged Disney cruise bomb threat case
Federal prosecutors say Daquan Smith could face up to five years in prison if convicted of transmitting a threat across state lines.
Daquan Smith has pleaded not guilty to a federal charge of interstate transmission of a threat involving a Disney cruise ship traveling from The Bahamas, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and court records.
A published report said the alleged threat was made by telephone on December 6. The indictment alleges that the caller referred to a cruise boat traveling from the Bahamas, claimed to have a bomb aboard and said he wanted to detonate it.
Smith was arrested in Illinois in July and later released on bond. His attorney has asked for the Orlando case to be dismissed and transferred to Illinois after prosecutors said Smith was in Chicago when the alleged call occurred.
The defense also is seeking to suppress statements Smith made during an FBI interview, alleging that the interview was not recorded and that agents failed to advise him of his Miranda rights.
Authorities have not announced the discovery of an explosive device aboard a Disney ship. The federal announcement also did not present evidence of a broader threat against the Disney Cruise Line fleet. If convicted, Smith could receive up to five years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.