A flight attendant pleaded guilty Monday to making false bomb threats against several United Airlines flights, causing flight delays and intensive searches of passengers, authorities said.
Patrick Cau, also known as Patrick Kaiser, a 40-year-old German citizen living in Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to one count of false information and hoaxes, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As part of a plea agreement, he faces up to five years in federal prison and he will be forced to pay $267,912 in restitution to United Airlines. He also faces deportation.
His sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 18.
Cau admitted to making the false bomb threats from October 2012 to January 2013. He used pay phones in several U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas and Seattle, according to the statement.
"As a direct result of Cau's threats, United experienced substantial disruption to its business operations and services, including cancellations of and delays to flights, transfer of aircraft, and significant inconveniences to United passengers," the statement said.
Cau was also expected to be ordered to pay an undetermined amount of restitution to law enforcement agencies that responded to the bomb threats.
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