A Pennsylvania man is facing federal criminal charges after an explosive device was discovered in the lining of his checked bag at a Pennsylvania airport, authorities announced Wednesday.
Marc Muffley, 40, has been charged with two federal crimes, including possessing an explosive in an airport, and possessing or attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft, a criminal complaint obtained by Politico detailed.
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The device was found hidden in the lining of Muffley’s suitcase, prosecutors allege, which he had checked in at the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania on Monday. The flight was bound for Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida.
Airport security discovered the circular device during the screening process for checked bags. The device was about 3 inches in diameter and was covered by a clear plastic wrap, the complaint said.
An FBI bomb technician that X-rayed the compound said it contained a granular powder that is “suspected to be a mixture of flash powder and the dark granulars that are used in commercial grade fireworks,” according to Politico.
A short fuse was also attached to the device, and a “hobby fuse” that burns more slowly was added to the device after manufacturing, authorities said. Because the device and powder are susceptible to ignite from heat and friction, it poses a “significant risk to the aircraft and passengers,” the criminal complaint said.
Muffley was arrested by the FBI on Monday night after fleeing the airport when his name was called over the airport’s public address system. Authorities were able to trace him to his home address in Lansford, Pennsylvania, where he was apprehended.
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“The FBI arrested Marc Muffley, 40, without incident at his Lansford, Pa., residence late Monday night,” an FBI spokesperson said in a statement to CNN.
He remains in custody and is awaiting a probable cause hearing on Thursday in Allentown. Muffley will attend the hearing through a video conference.
