Explosives hoax on US Air flight brings prison for Phila. man

(CBS) PHILADELPHIA - The man behind a frightening hoax on a US Airways flight out of Philadelphia has been sentenced to 15 months in prison, CBS Philly reported.

Kenneth Smith Jr. admitted he called airport police last year, and falsely claimed that the former boyfriend of a woman involved with Smith was smuggling liquid explosives onto a flight to Dallas-Forth Worth.

According to CBS Philly, Smith said he he did it because the other man had posted a compromising picture of the woman on Facebook.

The flight was diverted back to Philadelphia, where armed police stormed the plane that had dozens of passengers and crew on board, the station reported.

"I have tremendous compassion and empathy, as does Mr. Smith, for the fear and terror these people felt, and he is tremendously sorry for that. But this was not a terrorist act," said defense attorney William Brennan following the sentencing.

Smith broke down in court as he told the judge he can't imagine what he had put the passengers and crewmembers through.