Pictures Posted On Facebook Led New Boyfriend To Phone In The Threat

That explosives hoax that caused a US Airways flight to return to Philadelphia last week was apparently the result of a bad breakup ... and a jealous new boyfriend ... and ultimately ended in the arrest of the innocent party in the hoax on drug charges.

Christopher Shell apparently posted a picture of his ex-girlfriend on Facebook, which was not much appreciated by the woman's new boyfriend, Kenneth W. Smith Jr. The Associated Press reports that after the plane was turned around, taxied to a remote area of the Philadelphia airport, evacuated, and searched for explosives, Shell was able to clear himself of having anything to do with the hoax, and during the interview, gave authorities Smith's work address.

Smith was later arrested on charges of making the threat both against Shell and the airplane full of people. If convicted, he faces as much as 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He said during questioning that he did it because of the "compromising" photo Shell had posted on Facebook of his girlfriend, who was not named. He admitted calling the airport police and telling them Shell was carrying liquid explosives.

Smith's attorney said his client is "very sobered" and "embarrassed" by the problems his phone call caused.

But Shell's problems didn't end after he cleared himself with federal authorities in the explosives hoax. He was traveling to Dallas to celebrate his 29th birthday, and boarded another flight to Texas. On arrival at DFW, he was detained again, this time by Collin County, TX, authorities, and arrested on two outstanding drug possession warrants, one for less than two ounces of marijuana, and the other for a controlled substance under 28 grams.

Both Smith and Shell have posted bond.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.fbi.gov, www.co.collin.tx.us/district_courts/index.jsp