A passenger arrested for texting that he was going to “hijack” the plane he was on told officers the message was banter with a co-worker and denied intending to harm anyone, according to a police report.

The United plane headed to Newark , New Jersey , was diverted back to Las Vegas shortly after takeoff Saturday night after a flight attendant spotted the text, and Dante Milne, 25, was taken into custody.

Milne was charged with making a threat or offering false information in reference to an act of terrorism. His attorney, James Gallo, told The Associated Press that he was still evaluating his client’s case but Milne plans to plead not guilty.

The flight attendant told Las Vegas police she had first noticed two passengers exchanging text messages during boarding that included derogatory remarks about other passengers and attendants. She later saw an incoming message that began with “I'm gonna hijack,” and she notified the lead flight attendant, according to the police report.…