California woman indicted for cruise ship threats
The Associated Press
5/8/03 4:03 AM
HONOLULU (AP) -- A federal grand jury has indicted a woman for leaving threatening
notes aboard a cruise ship in hopes she could cut a family trip short and return
home to her boyfriend.
Kelley Marie Ferguson, 20, of Laguna Hills, Calif., was charged Wednesday with
two counts of threatening acts of terrorism, each carrying a maximum sentence
of up to 10 years in prison. Her arraignment was set for Monday.
Authorities say Ferguson, who was vacationing with her family aboard the Legend
of the Seas, admitted writing the notes. One included the threat, "I have
been sent on a mission to kill all Americanos abord Legend if we port on American
soil."
The notes prompted an intense FBI search for biological, chemical, radiological
and explosive weapons aboard the Royal Caribbean ship, and interrogation of
crew members and passengers.
Federal prosecutors said the hoax cost the U.S. Coast Guard alone $336,000.
Ferguson has been detained without bail since her April 25 arrest.