EHT Man Who Threatened to Bomb ACY Airport Released From Jail

The man who posted a threat to blow up the Atlantic City International Airport, then engaged in a standoff with federal marshals causing a shelter-in-place order to by given at a local school, was released from jail on Friday pending trial.

Long Pham, 38, of Egg Harbor Township, is being allowed to stay in his father's home on Atlas Lane Road.

Man Faces Charges of Terroristic Threats

Police say on Jan 10, Long Pham post several threats on his X account threatening ACY, including one that said,  "Tip, the Atlantic City airport will be bombed".

When news of these threatening posts reached authorities, State Police responded to investigate and did a sweep of the airport but found no explosives.

The U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Task Force went to Pham's  house to arrest him, but Pham barricaded himself in the home.

This standoff caused a shelter-in-place order to be issued at nearby Dr. Joyanne D. Miller Elementary School, according to NJ.com.

The Judge's Reasoning For The Release

Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Jorge Coombs granted Phan's release on Friday because he had no prior criminal record and is thought to be a low risk for flight or to commit any other crimes before his trial.

Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor Despina Hess argued that the charges Pham is  facing are serious enough for him to be held in jail.

Hess pointed out his social media posts criticizing the FAA flight patterns at ACY and South Jersey Gas.

State Police also found possible Chinese Communist Party propaganda on the X account, Hess said.

Pham's lawyer, Andres Butchko, argued that his client will be undergoing a mental health evaluation and looking for a job.

"His father indicated to me that he'll make sure Long makes his court appearances and complies with any pretrial release conditions."

Long's family immigrated from Vietnam and have lived in EHT for over 20 years.

Pham's next court date is on March 13th.