Flight diverted after threat by passenger

A Delta airliner bound for California was diverted to Louisiana with an escort of two fighter planes after a passenger passed a threatening note to a flight attendant, the FBI said today.

Flight 357, with 148 people aboard from Atlanta to Los Angeles, landed safely at Shreveport yesterday. Edward Stephenson, 36, was arrested and charged with interfering with a flight crew member and attendants, FBI spokeswoman Sheila Thorne said.