TikTok “troll” arrested after threatening to bomb airport for prank content

Despite repeatedly crossing the line by making fake threats to law enforcement for content, TikToker ‘tomthetroll’ was eventually arrested for allegedly making a bomb threat towards an airport.

Thomas Anthony Brienza, a 20-year-old resident of Centereach, New York, who is known for his controversial posts on TikTok, was taken into custody on August 24 in connection with a bomb threat made against the Charleston International Airport in South Carolina. This incident was reported by authorities.

The police’s incident report noted that the individual arrested for the TikTok prank was wearing glasses equipped with a built-in camera when they approached the officers.

Despite not having a firearm or bomb on his person, Brienza allegedly informed officers at the scene that he possessed a “strap,”a term commonly used for a gun. In addition, he claimed to have a bomb and even stated that there was fentanyl inside his parked car, according to the Tiktoker.

Despite initially stating his intention to detonate the airport, Brienza quickly reassured the authorities that his actions were only meant as a prank for social media attention and that he did not possess any illegal items.

Despite his attempts to retract his threats, the TikToker was still arrested and charged with possession or threatened use of a weapon of mass destruction. He was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center and later released on a $100,000 bond.

Despite concerns from authorities, Brienza is notorious for his pranks and jokes with police officers, often using them as content for his TikTok videos.

@tomthetroll Wait until the end😭🙏 #cop #copsoftiktok #public #viral ♬ original sound – ThomTheTroll 🧌

The TikToker, on the day of his arrest, uploaded a video on the platform admitting to a police officer that he had been “drinking and driving”and acknowledging that he posed a danger to himself and others.

Despite the fact that he didn’t end up in jail, some viewers felt that his joke was a bit too daring and could be seen as “pushing his luck.”

Despite not being given a second chance for his airport threats, Brienza is not the lone TikToker who was taken into custody in 2024 for making false and dangerous statements.

During the month of May, authorities apprehended Daniel Larson for making threats to bomb several government agencies, buildings, and the White House.