Navy Sailor Sentenced for Series of Bomb Threats

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach-based Sailor was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for making a series of bomb threats directed at Navy assets aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.

According to court documents, Allante Martanaze Arrington, 24, made upwards of 12 threatening communications by phone to U.S. Navy ships and installation facilities aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in August 2017. Special Agents with NCIS quickly identified Arrington’s cell phone as the source of the calls through cell tower data and call records. Arrington was also assigned to one of the ships he threatened. Arrington’s calls were short and vague, but involved bombs poised to explode at base gyms, various ships, and a health clinic. The calls prompted a significant response from Navy and FBI explosive ordinance disposal and military working dog units, and caused Navy units to shelter in place for hours on the days the threats were made.

Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Cliff Everton, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Layne prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-135.