JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The man accused of checking in a suitcase with explosives inside at a Pennsylvania airport has local ties to Northeast Florida.
According to official records, Marc Muffley, 40, lived in Fernandina Beach from 1998 to 2000. He moved back to Pennsylvania sometime later.
On Monday morning, Muffley was seen on camera rolling suitcases with explosives inside through the Lehigh Valley International Airport, according to police.
Muffley checked in his bag for a flight headed to the Orlando area and an alarm went off during TSA screening.
TSA called the FBI to assist after identifying what they believed to be an explosive, which officials described as a “circular compound” three inches in diameter, wrapped in wax-like paper and clear plastic wrap hidden in the lining of the bag.
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The FBI bomb technician X-rayed the item and found a powder inside the wax paper and plastic wrap. Reports said the powder is used in commercial-grade fireworks.
There were also two fuses on the compound, one of which was designed to ignite explosives quickly.
The bomb technician said the powder could ignite from heat and friction and “posed a significant risk to the aircraft and passengers.”
Also inside the bag was a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a wireless drill with cordless batteries and two GFCI outlets taped together with black tape.
Muffley was paged over the airport PA system to come to the security desk. However, cameras captured him leaving the airport.
He was later arrested at his home in Pennsylvania Monday night.
Muffley is charged with possessing an explosive in an airport and possessing or attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft according to a criminal complaint.