A Knoxville man was arrested Friday morning after allegedly making a bomb threat phone call more than a week ago, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Travis Scott Russell, 21, was arrested and charged with a Class C felony in connection with a May 17 phone call a couple received in which they were told an explosive device was attached to their vehicle, according to a THP news release.
The caller told the couple, traveling along Interstate 75 with their children, that the bomb would detonate if the car speed dropped below 50 miles per hour, the release states. The couple traveled about 85 miles per hour from Knoxville to Cleveland, Tenn., on the interstate, in fear that their car might explode.
THP and several other law enforcement agencies followed the couple’s vehicle until they stopped on I-75 south at mile marker 20 near Cleveland, Tenn., the release states. No bomb was found.
Investigators searched Mr. Russell’s phone records and determined he made the call, the release states. Mr. Russell allegedly disguised his voice and altered the cell phone number appearing on the couple’s caller ID by using a “cell phone spoof” application, according to the release.
Mr. Russell was booked in the Knox County Jail on Friday and will appear in court within 10 days of his arrest date.