Paragraph 1: Incident Overview
On a seemingly ordinary Thursday afternoon in South Carolina, a routine traffic stop escalated into a major highway closure and a bomb scare, causing significant disruption and raising concerns about security. At approximately 2:45 p.m., a state transport police officer pulled over a tractor-trailer driven by 28-year-old Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi for a missing license plate. During the stop, Alhendi allegedly informed the officer that there was an explosive device inside his commercial vehicle. This claim immediately triggered a large-scale response involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Paragraph 2: Law Enforcement Response and Highway Shutdown
The potential bomb threat prompted a swift and comprehensive response from authorities. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the FBI converged on the scene to investigate the veracity of Alhendi’s claim. As a precautionary measure, all six lanes of Interstate 85 were shut down near Mile Marker 44. This closure, lasting nearly five hours, caused significant traffic congestion and delays, impacting numerous commuters and travelers.
Paragraph 3: Investigation and Resolution
Law enforcement agencies meticulously investigated the alleged bomb threat, thoroughly searching Alhendi’s tractor-trailer. After an exhaustive search, authorities determined that there was no explosive device present in the vehicle. With the threat deemed unfounded, all lanes of Interstate 85 were reopened at approximately 7:40 p.m., allowing traffic to resume its normal flow. The incident, while ultimately proving to be a false alarm, underscored the seriousness with which authorities treat potential security threats and the disruptive consequences such incidents can have.
Paragraph 4: Legal Proceedings and Charges
Following the incident, Alhendi was taken into custody and appeared in court on Friday. He faced multiple charges, including conveying false information about a bomb threat, breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature, and operating a vehicle without a license plate. A judge set a total surety bond of $20,238 for all three charges. Alhendi was subsequently transferred to the Greenville County Detention Center.
Paragraph 5: Immigration Status and Further Investigation
In addition to the charges related to the bomb threat and traffic violations, Alhendi’s immigration status became a point of interest for authorities. A spokesperson for the Greenville County Detention Center confirmed that Alhendi was placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer. This detainer indicates that Alhendi is a suspected illegal immigrant and could potentially face removal from the country. Federal agencies, including ICE and the FBI, are continuing to investigate Alhendi’s background and circumstances.
Paragraph 6: Employment and Company Response
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) identified the tractor-trailer involved in the incident as being registered to Globe Transportation, a company based in Illinois. A spokesperson for Globe Transportation confirmed that Alhendi was indeed an employee of the company. However, the company declined to make any further statements regarding the incident or Alhendi’s employment status at the time. The connection between Alhendi’s employment and the alleged bomb threat remains a subject of ongoing investigation.
