Man upset that girlfriend went on cruise is sent to prison for ship bomb hoax

ABC News - Apr 14th, 2025
Open on ABC News

Joshua Lowe, a 19-year-old Michigan resident, was sentenced to eight months in prison for making a false bomb threat against a Carnival Corp. cruise ship. Upset about being left behind to care for pets while his girlfriend's family went on a cruise, Lowe sent an email that led to the inspection of over 1,000 rooms on the ship. The incident, which occurred after the ship's departure from Miami in January 2024, did not result in any injuries but prompted a serious response from authorities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler emphasized that such threats are taken seriously and Lowe was tracked down by the FBI through his email address.

Lowe's actions highlight the severe consequences of making false threats, especially in the context of heightened security concerns in the travel industry. The case underscores the importance of responsible communication and the potential legal ramifications of impulsive actions. Lowe expressed remorse in a letter to the court, taking full responsibility for his actions. This incident serves as a reminder of the broader implications of security threats in public spaces and the legal system's commitment to addressing them, regardless of the underlying personal grievances.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively reports on a recent legal case involving a false bomb threat, providing clear and factual information about the incident and its consequences. Its strengths lie in its accuracy, clarity, and timeliness, offering a straightforward account of events supported by authoritative sources like the Assistant U.S. Attorney. However, the story's balance and source quality could be improved by including a wider range of perspectives and additional sources, such as statements from Carnival Corp. or legal experts. While the article addresses a topic of public interest, its potential impact and engagement are limited by the lack of broader context and interactive elements. Overall, the article provides a solid factual foundation but could benefit from a more comprehensive exploration of the issue.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents a factual account of an event involving a Michigan man, Joshua Lowe, who was sentenced for making a false bomb threat. The details such as the location (Kalamazoo, Mich.), the defendant's name (Joshua Lowe), his age (19), and the circumstances of the crime (sending a bomb threat email to Carnival Corp.) are specific and verifiable. The article includes a direct quote from Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler, adding credibility to the prosecution's perspective. However, verification would be needed for the exact details of the email's content, the specific impact on Carnival Corp., and the court proceedings. There are no apparent inaccuracies, but the story could benefit from additional sources to corroborate these details.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the prosecution and the defendant's admission of guilt, offering a straightforward narrative of the event. However, it lacks a broader range of perspectives, such as comments from Carnival Corp., the defense attorney, or the family involved. This omission could lead to perceived bias, as the story focuses on the prosecution's and the defendant's statements without exploring other viewpoints that might provide a fuller picture of the incident.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the main points. The logical flow from the crime's description to the sentencing and the defendant's apology makes the story easy to follow. The tone is neutral and factual, which aids in maintaining clarity. However, the inclusion of additional background information or context could enhance understanding for readers unfamiliar with the legal processes involved.

6
Source quality

The article cites Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler as a source, which lends authority to the story. However, the lack of additional sources, such as court documents or statements from Carnival Corp., limits the depth of the report. The reliance on a single prosecutorial source may affect the story's impartiality, as it does not provide a comprehensive view of the incident from multiple stakeholders.

6
Transparency

The article gives a clear account of the events leading to Joshua Lowe's sentencing, including his motivations and the consequences of his actions. However, it lacks transparency in terms of methodology, as it does not explain how the information was gathered or verified. The absence of detailed sourcing or acknowledgment of potential conflicts of interest limits the transparency of the reporting process.

Sources

  1. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/michigan-man-upset-girlfriend-cruise-prison-ship-bomb-120806436
  2. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2024_0925_LoweII_Darrell_Indictment
  3. https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigan-man-charged-carnival-cruise-false-bomb-threat/