Pennsylvania Man Tries To Bring Explosives in Suitcase on Flight

On February 27, a Pennsylvania man was detained for attempting to smuggle an explosive device onto an aircraft.

FBI investigators detained Marc Muffley, 40, on Monday night after he reportedly attempted to board an Allegiant Airlines aircraft from Lehigh Valley International Airport to Orlando Sanford International Airport on February 27 with an explosive device.

Check-in Bags with Explosives at Discovered Airport

An affidavit indicates that TSA officials were alerted to the "presence of suspicious goods" when Allegiant Airlines workers inspected Muffley's suitcase. According to court documents, when TSA officials physically inspected the bag, they discovered a "circular compound, about three inches in diameter, wrapped in wax-like paper and clear plastic wrap buried in the lining of the bag."

When many FBI officers went to the airport to check the object and x-ray it, it was discovered that the bag contained a "granular sort of powder" that was "consistent with a commercial grade firework."

According to the court filing, this granular powder is believed to be a blend of flash powder and black granular used in commercial pyrotechnics. A can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a wireless drill with cordless batteries, and two GFCI outlets glued together with black tape was also purportedly found in the suitcase.

One of the FBI agents also saw that a "fast fuse" and a "hobby fuse" were attached to the device, with the agent noting that a hobby fuse burns more slowly than a fast fuse. According to FBI investigators, the explosive device presented a "serious risk" to the airplane and its passengers.

Muffley was observed departing the airport at 11:45 a.m. after being summoned to the airport's security counter at 11:40 a.m. on the airport's public address system. Fox News was informed by a Lehigh Valley International Airport representative that the airport remained open throughout the inquiry.

Director of TSA Federal Security Karen Keys-Turner stated that the incident demonstrates the strength of the airport's and local law enforcement's cooperation. According to Colin Riccobon, the airport's director of public relations, the airport was closed almost two hours after the incident. Riccobon stated that several agencies reacted, including two bomb squads, demonstrating "outstanding collaboration."

At the Lehigh Valley Airport, travelers deliver their checked baggage to airline workers at the check-in desk. The bags are subsequently given to TSA personnel for inspection. CNN was informed that TSA officers inspect 800 and 1,600 airport passengers daily.

Pennsylvania Man's Previous Cases

Muffley had been charged with possession of controlled narcotics, harassment, and minor theft, among other offenses, more than six times in the past decade, according to court records from Pennsylvania. Former Lansford, Pennsylvania, police chief Jack Soberick, with whom federal officials spoke prior to Muffley's arrest, stated that he had seen the suspect multiple times during his 25 years with the department in northern Pennsylvania.

In a brief interview, Soberick stated that he could not recall the specifics of the instances but that they were all minor, such as drug offenses or petty domestic difficulties. He stated that Soberick had met Muffley as both a suspect and a victim. According to him, any violence would have been restricted to a fistfight.

James Desanto, a lawyer who represented Muffley in several cases, stated that he hadn't spoken to him in years and had never had any indication that Muffley held radical ideals or would have taken a bomb onto an aircraft. Several of Muffley's arrests were reported in the local press. According to the Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Muffley was apprehended in April 2017 for selling batteries worth around $22 from a Family Dollar store.

According to court documents, Muffley was charged with retail theft. In September 2017, he pled guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation. Muffley failed to pay fines linked to many court proceedings as recently as December 2022. Several times, prosecutors tried to revoke his probation, although it is still being determined if they were eventually successful.

Per Politico, authorities stated that he would stay in arrest until a probable cause hearing and detention hearing on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Allentown, during which Muffley will participate by videoconference. On Wednesday, a message was left for Timothy Wright, Muffley's federal public attorney.