The FBI arrested Shawn Payton, 34, for calling in bomb threats to a reception desk in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome during the football game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints on January 7, 2012.
Payton is from Jackson, Michigan and appeared before a U.S. judge today in Detroit. Payton was released on bond and was also ordered to appear in federal court in New Orleans, LA on February 14, 2012.
Payton was first contacted by the FBI last week after they had obtained a warrant for his arrest. Payton admitted to making two phone calls to the Superdome during the last half of the game and told agents he had an anger management problem.
The game, which was a first round playoff game, attracted a crowd on 70,000 fans. After the bomb threats were received, a task force trained to deal with terrorism was called in to handle the situation.
The first call came in at 9:12 pm, when the Saints were coming from behind to take a four point lead in the game. The second call came at 10:03 pm with the following message, "Hi, I want you to relay a message to the sideline. If your stupid Southern team keeps winning, there will be reper...severe consequences. OK?"
Payton was traced through phone records and will face a $250,000 fine and a maximum term of five years in jail if convicted.
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