A 19-year-old from Michigan has been indicted in connection with a bomb hoax targeting a Carnival cruise ship earlier this year, according to officials.
Joshua Darrell Lowe II, of Bailey, Michigan, faces charges of making a false bomb threat and could serve up to five years in prison if convicted.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Lowe is expected to pay restitution for the costs incurred due to the threat in addition to jail time.
The incident occurred in January 2024 when Lowe allegedly emailed Carnival Cruise Lines stating, “Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your sunrise cruise ship.”
At the time of the email, the Carnival Sunrise had recently departed from Miami, Florida, and was en route to Jamaica on a Caribbean cruise.
Cruise officials conducted thorough searches of over 1,000 rooms onboard the Carnival Cruise Line ship in response to the threat. They also alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and Jamaican authorities, prompting marine police to escort the vessel to port for further inspection.
“We take every threat of mass violence seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.
“Hoaxes can endanger lives, incur needless costs, and divert public safety resources needed to address real threats. My office has zero tolerance for wrongdoers who intentionally convey false and misleading information that prompts a law enforcement response.”
The FBI is currently investigating the case.
Carnival Sunrise sails four- and five-night year-round voyages from PortMiami to the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and The Bahamas.
