A British woman being held in a US prison after allegedly joking at an airport that she was carrying a bomb has been told she will stay behind bars until she can raise £3,000 bail.
Shropshire student Samantha Marson triggered a security alert as she waited to board a British Airways flight from Miami back to Britain.
The 21-year-old, from Bridgnorth, was asked what was in her rucksack and apparently told officials she had a bomb.
British consular officials in Florida said they were hoping to arrange a meeting with Miss Marson on Wednesday.
She is scheduled to appear before a judge on 6 February, when she will be asked to enter a plea.
A spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said she faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison if convicted.
'Three bombs'
According to the arrest report, Miss Marson placed her bag on the belt at a security check, telling a Transportation Security Administration screener: "Hey be careful, I have three bombs in here" - before allegedly repeating the joke twice more when confronted by officials.
There's no room for playing games at security checkpoints
Sergeant Joe Wyche
Miami Airport Police
She was taken into custody and within hours appeared before a judge who remanded her to Dade County Jail.
Sergeant Joe Wyche from Miami Airport Police told BBC Midlands Today that officers were left with no choice but to arrest Miss Marson.
"First of all, it's a violation of our state law.
"Before 9/11 we took it seriously - after 9/11 there's no room for kidding or joking, if that's the person's intention, so it's taken in a serious manner."
Sgt Wyche added: "There's no room for playing games at security checkpoints.
"I'm sure probably over in Britain if similar comments are made it's not laughed upon."
'Silly thing'
Miss Marson's father Jim, 75, said: "We are beside ourselves with worry.
"She phoned at about 3am on Sunday and was hysterical.
"I'm sure Samantha will accept that it's a silly thing to say, but she's the sort of girl who might have thought it would make people laugh."
She had been in the US for three months with her American boyfriend and was returning to the UK to renew her visa.
Prison hardly seems the right response for what was, admittedly, a stupid joke in bad taste
Matthew Green, Samantha Marson's local MP
A Foreign Office spokesman said officials were seeking more information from the US authorities and Miss Marson's family.
"We will offer her any assistance we can and ensure that she is being properly treated.
"But it is up to US authorities if they decide to arrest someone for making allegations."
'Stupid joke'
Meanwhile Miss Marson's local MP called on the US authorities to deal with her case more "appropriately".
Ms Marson was trying to return to Britain to renew her visa
Matthew Green, the Liberal Democrat MP for Ludlow, said her comments were "stupid but not worthy of weeks in prison".
"Their handling of this issue now is out of proportion to the offence.
"Prison hardly seems the right response for what was, admittedly, a stupid joke in bad taste," he added.
Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic warned on Tuesday of the dangers of joking about security.
A Virgin spokesman said: "With security levels so high at present, there are certain things you do not joke about.
"Most Britons having had years of heightened security would realise that you have to be extremely careful about what you say."
Stupid Bitch!
Shropshire student Samantha Marson triggered a security alert as she waited to board a British Airways flight from Miami back to Britain.
The 21-year-old, from Bridgnorth, was asked what was in her rucksack and apparently told officials she had a bomb.
British consular officials in Florida said they were hoping to arrange a meeting with Miss Marson on Wednesday.
She is scheduled to appear before a judge on 6 February, when she will be asked to enter a plea.
A spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said she faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison if convicted.
'Three bombs'
According to the arrest report, Miss Marson placed her bag on the belt at a security check, telling a Transportation Security Administration screener: "Hey be careful, I have three bombs in here" - before allegedly repeating the joke twice more when confronted by officials.
There's no room for playing games at security checkpoints
Sergeant Joe Wyche
Miami Airport Police
She was taken into custody and within hours appeared before a judge who remanded her to Dade County Jail.
Sergeant Joe Wyche from Miami Airport Police told BBC Midlands Today that officers were left with no choice but to arrest Miss Marson.
"First of all, it's a violation of our state law.
"Before 9/11 we took it seriously - after 9/11 there's no room for kidding or joking, if that's the person's intention, so it's taken in a serious manner."
Sgt Wyche added: "There's no room for playing games at security checkpoints.
"I'm sure probably over in Britain if similar comments are made it's not laughed upon."
'Silly thing'
Miss Marson's father Jim, 75, said: "We are beside ourselves with worry.
"She phoned at about 3am on Sunday and was hysterical.
"I'm sure Samantha will accept that it's a silly thing to say, but she's the sort of girl who might have thought it would make people laugh."
She had been in the US for three months with her American boyfriend and was returning to the UK to renew her visa.
Prison hardly seems the right response for what was, admittedly, a stupid joke in bad taste
Matthew Green, Samantha Marson's local MP
A Foreign Office spokesman said officials were seeking more information from the US authorities and Miss Marson's family.
"We will offer her any assistance we can and ensure that she is being properly treated.
"But it is up to US authorities if they decide to arrest someone for making allegations."
'Stupid joke'
Meanwhile Miss Marson's local MP called on the US authorities to deal with her case more "appropriately".
Ms Marson was trying to return to Britain to renew her visa
Matthew Green, the Liberal Democrat MP for Ludlow, said her comments were "stupid but not worthy of weeks in prison".
"Their handling of this issue now is out of proportion to the offence.
"Prison hardly seems the right response for what was, admittedly, a stupid joke in bad taste," he added.
Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic warned on Tuesday of the dangers of joking about security.
A Virgin spokesman said: "With security levels so high at present, there are certain things you do not joke about.
"Most Britons having had years of heightened security would realise that you have to be extremely careful about what you say."
Stupid Bitch!
