A 58-year-old Waianae man pleaded guilty Thursday to making a phone call to an FBI operator to falsely claim that a passenger on a flight from Kona to Seattle was dangerous and might hijack the plane.

Timothy David Hershman, a retired carpenter living in Kona at the time, admitted making the call from a pay phone Jan. 17.

Hershman said he was in court because he was “sorry” for his “stupid” action.

Because of the call, two F-15 jets from the Oregon Air National Guard scrambled to escort the flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Hershman faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. District Judge Michael Seabright said Hershman may also have to pay restitution to cover the costs incurred because of the hoax.

Michael Nammar, assistant U.S. attorney, told the judge that the called provided the name of the “dangerous” passenger, who told authorities he thought the caller was his former landlord. According to prosecutors, Hershman later confessed to making the call because he thought the passenger had left “fish guts” in Hershman’s truck.

Hershman is now living in Waianae, First Assistant Public Defender Alexander Silvert said.

Nammar said he will ask that Hershman serve some jail time. Hershman is due to return to court Oct. 7 for sentencing.