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Largo Man Charged in Bomb Hoax at FBI Tampa Field Office
Tampa, Florida – In a disturbing display of disregard for public safety, FBI agents discovered a suspicious black backpack outside the main security gate of the FBI Tampa Field Office early in the morning of May 20, 2025.
The backpack, accompanied by a cardboard sign identifying federal agents by name, a YouTube account belonging to Nicki Wayne Goodman, and racial epithets, sparked a massive law enforcement response, including the deployment of the Tampa Police Department’s bomb squad and patrol units, and Tampa Fire Rescue engines and ambulances.
Surveillance footage revealed that Goodman had placed the bag and signs outside the security gate the previous night. No explosive materials were found in the backpack, but the public safety response resulted in the closure of public roadways near the incident, denied access to public businesses, and the shutdown of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office for approximately five hours.
While first responders were on the scene, Goodman posted a short video from nearby, depicting multiple emergency vehicles and personnel in the background. In the video, Goodman stated, “see all the way down that street right there? Guess that’s cause of me. (inaudible) I uh the FBI office right down the road there. Look at that shit. That’s crazy huh? Wrote a few notes. Found a bag..” and “they got the SWAT team. They got the look like they got a bomb squad or something going on there.”
A criminal complaint, a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, was filed against Goodman, charging him with conveying false information to perpetuate a hoax. If convicted, Goodman faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
Nicki Wayne Goodman, 49, of Largo, Florida, made his initial appearance in federal court today in Tampa and was ordered detained. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Risha Asokan.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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