Nanaimo man jailed for fake bomb threat related to workplace feud

Court was told the threat was traced to Chang’s phone, who originally denied any involvement to Nanaimo RCMP a day after the threat was lodged.

That same day Chang received a call from Akerley’s family who pleaded with him to confess in order to save their vacation.

Chang then phoned Nanaimo Mounties to admit the bomb threat was a hoax and asked to have the Akerley family removed from the no-fly list.

Their vacation proceeded as planned after court was told clearance was given by terrorism assessment authorities in Ottawa.

Barber said Chang made the threat because Akerley got him suspended from the north Nanaimo restaurant where they both worked.

Barber said these types of allegations hurt many people, cause widespread chaos, while the investigations can be time consuming and difficult, as well as costly to the taxpayer.

“This is clearly the kind of act that the public needs to be made aware of will be met with a significant punishment. It has serious consequences for airlines, airports and individuals,” Barber said.

He said Akerley is still stressed out and concerned about traveling.

Barber’s request of three-months in jail was granted, while the defence lobbied for no jail time and three-years probation.

Peter Hertzberg, Chang’s lawyer, told court his client’s actions were extremely serious and should be denounced.

Hertzberg said Chang was the uncle of murdered teenager Makayla Chang and was deeply impacted by her death.

“That family has been terribly traumatized, Mr. (Tyson) Chang himself is terribly traumatized…He’s emotionally fragile as a result of that horrific killing.”

Hertzberg said Chang is dealing with a perceived workplace injustice involving a badly burned hand and an ongoing WorkSafeBC claim. Hertzberg said Chang lost his job and has been vilified in the community for the bomb hoax.

An apologetic Chang made a brief statement to the court.

“I admit what I did was pretty stupid, the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my life. What happened to my cousin Makayla, his comments toward me, basically just set me off.”

Chang’s actions were egregious, dangerous and profoundly stupid, Judge Brian Harvey said.

Harvey said while nobody got hurt and the Akerley’s continued on their vacation, Chang made a foolish mistake.

“It is unknown, however, whether Mr. Akerley will suffer the consequences in the future of being subject of close scrutiny by catching any means of transportation from Canada.”

Judge Harvey said the fact nobody was hurt doesn’t mitigate the dangerous allegation of a plane potentially blowing up over the Pacific Ocean.

“Like-minded individuals such as Mr. Chang ought to know that if they’re going to engage in allegations that potentially have cross-border, international consequences that they will be treated very seriously,” Harvey said.

Chang, who had no prior criminal history, was also handed three-years probation, which includes the primary condition of staying away from Akerley.

Akerley declined a post-sentencing interview request from NanaimoNewsNOW.

ian@Nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

Nanaimo man jailed for fake bomb threat related to workplace feud

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