UNITED STATES.- A man faces federal criminal charges following registering a suitcase with an explosive device hiding in the liner on a flight to Floridasaid authorities who perform functions inside the Pennsylvania airport.
Marc Muffley, 40, is charged with possession of an explosive at an airport establishment and possession or attempt to plant an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraftaccording to a criminal complaint.
Prosecutors allege the material was found among belongings Muffley had checked Monday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for Allegiant Air Flight 201, which was headed to Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida.
After an alert during the security check, the bag was examined and found hidden in the lining to be a “circular compound” regarding three inches in diameter wrapped in wax-like paper and clear plastic wrap.
An FBI bomb technician X-rayed the compound and concluded that it contained a granular powder consistent with a “commercial grade firework” y “suspected to be a mixture of lightning powder and the dark granules used in commercial grade fireworks.”
Attached to it was a “fast fuse” similar to a candle wick, apparently part of the original manufacturing of the compound, as well as a “hobby fuse” which burns more slowly and appeared to have been added following manufacturing, authorities said.
They also said that they came to the conclusion that both Black powder such as gunpowder “are susceptible to igniting from heat and friction and pose a significant risk to aircraft and passengers”is clear from the court document.
The baggage also contained “a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a cordless drill and two plugs”.
Authorities said Muffley was called over the airport’s public address system and was seen leaving the airport shortly therefollowing. He was traced to a Lansford address where he was arrested by the FBI Monday night.
Authorities said he remains in custody pending a probable cause hearing and a detention hearing Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Allentown, with Muffley assisting by video link. A message was left Wednesday for Muffley’s federal public defender, Timothy Wright.
With information from Associated Press
THE NATION
