Pennsylvania man arrested after alleged explosives found in baggage

[+Grim Reaper 6]

Quote

A Pennsylvania man was arrested and faces federal charges after an explosive device was found in a suitcase that was to be loaded on a plane at an airport Monday, officials said. The FBI arrested Marc Muffley, 40, at his home in Lansford on Monday night, hours after the incident at Lehigh Valley International Airport, the FBI said. He allegedly checked a rolling suitcase at the Allegiant airline desk Monday morning.

Inside was what the Transportation Security Administration called a live explosive device — described by the FBI in court documents as a circular compound wrapped in wax paper and plastic wrap, hidden inside the lining of the suitcase. Found I n the bag was a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a wireless drill, and two electrical outlets taped together, it says. It contained a powder “suspected to be a mixture of flash powder and the dark granulars that are used in commercial grade fireworks,” and attached to the compound were two fuses, the FBI said in an affidavit attached to a criminal complaint.

The TSA said in a statement that the device was found during routine screening of checked baggage. The suitcase triggered an alarm, and then an officer physically inspected it and found the item, the agency said. The immediate area was evacuated and the FBI was called. 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pennsylvania-man-arrested-after-alleged-explosives-found-in-baggage/ar-AA1871gB?cvid=9a9d31b3d3dd4375850562b0bb71a6ee

[+susieice]

This was on our news tonight. LVIA is a relatively small but very nice airport. It's international because Air Canada flies there. They said the flight was going to Orlando but they didn't mention the airline. Allegiant flies a lot of direct flights to Florida. I've taken them to Ft Lauderdale. 

It's a good thing they found this. They said he was paged to go to the Security Counter but he left the airport. There was identification in the luggage and they arrested him within a couple hours at his home. The motive was unknown.

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/lansford-man-checked-suitcase-with-hidden-explosive-at-lvia-fbi-says/article_c318d5fc-b859-11ed-8200-3faedb7bd663.html#tncms-source=Homepage-Top-Stories

According to an affidavit from the FBI, an alarm went off during the TSA's screening, so officials did a physical inspection. They found a circular compound, around three inches in diameter, "wrapped in a wax-like paper and clear plastic wrap." It was hidden in the lining of the luggage.

The TSA called the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Police Department. The PD then contacted the FBI.

 

A special agent identified the circular compound as containing "a granular type of powder" that was "consistent with a commercial grade firework."

It had a "quick fuse" and a "hobby fuse," meaning a slower fuse that appeared to be added after it was manufactured.

The special agent called it an "explosive."

In the luggage was also found a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a wireless drill with cordless batteries, and two electrical outlets.

Officials paged Muffley over the airport's public address system to report to security. Five minutes later, security cameras captured Muffley leaving the airport.

The incident Monday caused two flights to be delayed. It is still under investigation.

Edited March 2 by susieice

[+susieice]

He made his first court appearance. Bail was denied. His lawyers say it was fireworks he wanted to set off on the beach. The FBI says he knew he couldn't take it on the plane.

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/judge-denies-bail-for-man-accused-of-trying-to-bring-explosive-on-plane-at-lvia/article_33c4c8a4-b942-11ed-83bc-bb09c67accc8.html#tncms-source=Homepage-Top-Stories

[+Grim Reaper 6]

On 3/3/2023 at 8:31 AM, susieice said:

He made his first court appearance. Bail was denied. His lawyers say it was fireworks he wanted to set off on the beach. The FBI says he knew he couldn't take it on the plane.

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/judge-denies-bail-for-man-accused-of-trying-to-bring-explosive-on-plane-at-lvia/article_33c4c8a4-b942-11ed-83bc-bb09c67accc8.html#tncms-source=Homepage-Top-Stories

If the guy is that much of an idiot in todays day age, he should be sentenced to mental hospital!

[+susieice]

Some people just think they should be allowed to do whatever they want and no one should tell them no.

[+Grim Reaper 6]

13 minutes ago, susieice said:

Some people just think they should be allowed to do whatever they want and no one should tell them no.

I agree and sadly this is becoming more and more common everyday!!!