Man Arrested After Trying to Smuggle Explosives on U.S. Flight

The man, identified as 40-year-old Marc Muffley, was scheduled to fly on Allegiant Flight 201 from Lehigh Valley International Airport to Florida's Orlando Sanford International Airport.

learn more about Emily Rella

By Emily Rella

Getty Images

A horrifying threat hit the skies this week when a man attempted to board a flight after checking a suitcase with an explosive device.

The man, identified as 40-year-old Marc Muffley, was set to jet on Allegiant Flight 201 from Lehigh Valley International Airport to Florida's Orlando Sanford International Airport.

According to the AP, authorities sounded an emergency alert after a "circular" compound was found packed in clear plastic wrap and wax paper in checked bags. After an X-ray, the FBI found its contents to be consistent with explosive powders, with two handmade fuses attached.

Related: 'Lighting Hit the Plane Badly': 7 Passengers Hospitalized After 'Severe Turbulence' Forces Plane Into Emergency Landing

Muffley's checked baggage also contained a lighter, a pipe, a can of butane, and a drill among other suspicious devices.

The 40-year-old was arrested at his home Monday night on charges of "possessing an explosive in an airport and possessing or attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft" and is in custody. A hearing was set for Thursday afternoon.

"His actions seriously jeopardized the lives of airport workers and patrons, and if the explosive had not been intercepted, the flight's passengers and the aircraft," a court document read.

Per the same document, Muffley also had an active warrant in his name for not paying child support, according to his girlfriend.

The Lehigh Valley International Airport currently offers departing flights to 15 destinations.

Allegiant has not yet commented on the incident.

Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

News Writer

Emily Rella is a news writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Travel

6 Secret Tools for Flying First Class (Without Paying Full Price)

It's time to reimagine upgrading. Here's how to fly first class on every flight, business or personal.

Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business News

TikTok Influencer Reveals She Makes $350,000 a Month on OnlyFans. 'Absolutely Unreal.'

When Tara Lynn promoted her OnlyFans page on TikTok, she saw her income more than double.

Science & Technology

Creators Shouldn't Overlook These Powerful Uses for AI Like ChatGPT

Tools like ChatGPT can be like an extra pair of hands (or three) for creators — but they come with important caveats.

Business News

I Live on a Cruise Ship for Half of the Year. Look Inside My 336-Square-Foot Cabin with Wraparound Balcony.

I live on a cruise ship with my husband, who works on it, for six months out of the year. Life at "home" can be tight. Here's what it's really like living on a cruise ship.