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Man Accused of Threatening to Blow Up Statue of Liberty, Prompting Mass Evacuation

A West Virginia man has been charged with telephoning a bomb threat into the Statue of Liberty in April, prompting a mass evacuation that affected thousands of tourists, officials say. 

Jason Paul Smith, 42, was arrested by the FBI in Texas early Wednesday.

According to court documents, Smith allegedly called 911 using an iPad at about 11:30 a.m. April 24 and said that "we" are preparing to "blow up" the Statue of Liberty. He identified himself as Abdul Yasin in the 911 call and described himself as an "ISI terrorist," court documents say.

About 3,200 tourists were ferried off Liberty Island as the NYPD Bomb Squad and federal authorities conducted a security sweep of the area. Some visitors had to leave behind their belongings.

A bomb-sniffing dog detected the scent of a suspicious package in lockers near the base of the statue, but authorities found nothing and the all-clear was issued several hours later.

The iPad registered in Smith's name has been connected to other 911 calls, including at least two in May from a user who identified himself as "Isis allah Bomb maker" and threatened to attack Times Square and kill police officers at the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Smith is charged with one count of conveying false and misleading information and hoaxes, which carries up to five years in prison. 

Smith is expected to appear in federal court in Texas later Wednesday. Information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available. 

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