A man is facing federal charges for the attempted holdup of a bank in South Pittsburg.
John Floyd Thomas was arrested after the incident at the drive-in window of Citizens Tri-County Bank.
Marty Dunn of the FBI Task Force said at 9:07 a.m., Thomas drove a green Ford Taurus to the bank window and passed the teller his Tennessee driver's license and a hand-written note.
The note said, "This bomb will kill us all. I have a scanner so I'll know if you allert the police. You got 30 seconds to give me as much money as can."
The teller could see a sawed-off shotgun in the man's lap and he was rubbing a suitcase which allegedly held the bomb.
The teller left the window and Thomas drove off.
Thomas was apprehended a short time later, and he gave a statement admitting to attempting to rob the bank. Police said the sawed-off shotgun was in his possession. It had been cut down to less than 18 inches in length.
He said there had not been a real bomb.
Authorities said Thomas has a felony record and was not supposed to have a gun.