(WJAR) — Federal prosecutors in Florida have announced that a Rhode Island man has been sentenced to two years in prison for spreading a hoax bomb threat on an airplane.

A Breeze Airways flight to Providence was diverted to Jacksonville, Florida after 41-year-old Evan Sims said there were bombs on board.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Florida, Sims pleaded guilty in March to false information and threats regarding an explosive device on an airplane.

According to federal prosecutors, Sims was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by three years of probation.

He must also pay $25,478 in damages to Breeze Airways.

On Dec. 5, 2023, Sims was on a flight from Orlando, Florida, to Providence, officials said. He got into an argument with his traveling companion as they boarded the plane.

Federal prosecutors say Sims caused several disruptions, including saying he hoped the plane wouldn’t “crash” or that he hoped they wouldn’t have to use the windows.

According to court documents, Sims said about twice that his traveling companion had a bomb on board after the plane took off.

The flight was diverted to Jacksonville International Airport, where bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed, federal prosecutors said. The dogs found no bombs.