Man accused of threatening to blow up Statue of Liberty arrested

By Ray Sanchez, CNN

Updated 1852 GMT (0252 HKT) August 19, 2015

Today marks the 130th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, which arrived in New York from France on June 17, 1885.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
Today marks the 130th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, which arrived in New York from France on June 17, 1885.
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The statue, designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, towers over Paris rooftops during construction in 1884. It was a gift from the people of France to commemorate 100 years of Franco-American friendship as well as the centennial of America's independence.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The statue, designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, towers over Paris rooftops during construction in 1884. It was a gift from the people of France to commemorate 100 years of Franco-American friendship as well as the centennial of America's independence.
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Refugee children from England arrive in New York Harbor in 1940.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
Refugee children from England arrive in New York Harbor in 1940.
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The towering skyline of downtown Manhattan is seen behind the statue in 1950.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The towering skyline of downtown Manhattan is seen behind the statue in 1950.
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The New York Harbor and the World Trade Center building are seen behind the statue in 1980.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The New York Harbor and the World Trade Center building are seen behind the statue in 1980.
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Workers remove scaffolding from around the statue's torch after restoration work in 1985.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
Workers remove scaffolding from around the statue's torch after restoration work in 1985.
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In November 1995, a federal budget crisis caused Liberty Island to close to tourists.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
In November 1995, a federal budget crisis caused Liberty Island to close to tourists.
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The Statue of Liberty sports a milk mustache in this 1995 ad.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The Statue of Liberty sports a milk mustache in this 1995 ad.
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A representation of a giant glass of Guinness is lowered over the Statue of Liberty to publicize the city's first Irish Music & Arts Festival in 1997.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
A representation of a giant glass of Guinness is lowered over the Statue of Liberty to publicize the city's first Irish Music & Arts Festival in 1997.
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The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy is anchored in New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty in 2000.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy is anchored in New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty in 2000.
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The Statue of Liberty is shrouded in smoke on September 15, 2001, four days after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The Statue of Liberty is shrouded in smoke on September 15, 2001, four days after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
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The New York City skyline, as seen from Bayonne, New Jersey, in October 2001.
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The New York City skyline, as seen from Bayonne, New Jersey, in October 2001.
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The statue's pedestal reopens to visitors on August 3, 2004 -- the first time since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The statue's pedestal reopens to visitors on August 3, 2004 -- the first time since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
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A New York Waterway ferry moves along the water as the sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty in 2004.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
A New York Waterway ferry moves along the water as the sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty in 2004.
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The Statue of Liberty is lit to show the contours of the sculpture in 2006, during a special show by French champagne maker Moet & Chandon.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The Statue of Liberty is lit to show the contours of the sculpture in 2006, during a special show by French champagne maker Moet & Chandon.
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The Statue of Liberty from above in 2007.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The Statue of Liberty from above in 2007.
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An aerial view of New York Harbor shows Lady Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan in 2007.
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An aerial view of New York Harbor shows Lady Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan in 2007.
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Clouds roll in over the Statue of Liberty in 2008.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
Clouds roll in over the Statue of Liberty in 2008.
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The statue's crown reopens to the public on July 4, 2008. It had been closed since the September 11 attacks.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The statue's crown reopens to the public on July 4, 2008. It had been closed since the September 11 attacks.
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A replica of the Dutch ship Half Moon sails past the Statue of Liberty in September 2009, commemorating Henry Hudson's entry into New York Harbor in 1609.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
A replica of the Dutch ship Half Moon sails past the Statue of Liberty in September 2009, commemorating Henry Hudson's entry into New York Harbor in 1609.
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A memorial that echoes the shape of the World Trade Center towers is illuminated on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
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A memorial that echoes the shape of the World Trade Center towers is illuminated on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
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Fireworks explode over the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 2011, the anniversary of its dedication.
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Fireworks explode over the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 2011, the anniversary of its dedication.
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The sun rises in front of the Statue of Liberty before the start of ceremonies on October 28, 2011.
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The sun rises in front of the Statue of Liberty before the start of ceremonies on October 28, 2011.
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The Space Shuttle Enterprise passes the statue while being towed on a barge in June 2012.
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The Space Shuttle Enterprise passes the statue while being towed on a barge in June 2012.
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Rose petals from a helicopter fall around the statue in June 2013.
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Rose petals from a helicopter fall around the statue in June 2013.
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Boats pass the statue in May 2013. It had been closed more than six months following Superstorm Sandy.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
Boats pass the statue in May 2013. It had been closed more than six months following Superstorm Sandy.
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Visitors disembark from a ferry in July 2013. It was the first day the attraction reopened after suffering damage from Superstorm Sandy.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
Visitors disembark from a ferry in July 2013. It was the first day the attraction reopened after suffering damage from Superstorm Sandy.
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An inflatable Rubik's Cube, en route to a science museum, is transported past the statue in July.
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An inflatable Rubik's Cube, en route to a science museum, is transported past the statue in July.
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The Statue of Liberty and the One World Trade Center building are seen at sunset in December.
Photos: Statue of Liberty's illustrious history
The Statue of Liberty and the One World Trade Center building are seen at sunset in December.
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Story highlights

  • Jason Paul Smith, 42, of Harts, West Virginia, is charged with a count of conveying false and misleading information and hoaxes
  • An April 24 bomb threat led to the evacuation of more than 3,200 people from New York's Liberty Island

New York (CNN)He's accused of using his iPad and a phone service for the hearing impaired to call in a bomb threat that resulted in the evacuation of more than 3,200 people from Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

On Wednesday, Jason Paul Smith, 42, of Harts, West Virginia, was charged in federal court with a count of conveying false and misleading information and hoaxes, according to the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Smith, who was arrested Wednesday in Lubbock, Texas, was to appear in a federal court there. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted. It's unclear if Smith has a lawyer.
Statue of Liberty evacuated after bomb threat
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Statue of Liberty evacuated after bomb threat 01:05
On April 24, Smith allegedly made a 911 call from his iPad using a service that helps hearing-impaired people make and receive telephone calls, according to federal prosecutors.
In the call, Smith identified himself as "Abdul Yasin," described himself as an "ISI terrorist" and conveyed a threat to "blow up" the Statue of Liberty, Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.
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The Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island were evacuated and closed to the public until the threat was declared unfounded. The New York Police Department bomb squad examined a locker thought to contain a suspicious package and found it was empty, a law enforcement official said at the time.
The statement from prosecutors said the iPad registered to Smith was allegedly used to make other 911 calls, including at least two in May from a user who identified himself as "Isis allah Bomb maker." The caller threatened to attack Times Square and kill police officers at the Brooklyn Bridge.