A local man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for attempting to smuggle explosives onto a plane bound for the Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida.
Carbon County resident Marc Muffley, 41, of Landsford, PA, was handed down the sentence by United States District Court Judge John M. Gallagher on March 15, 2024 for trying to place an explosive device on an aircraft and possessing an explosive in an airport.
According to the Department of Justice, on February 27, 2023, Muffley possessed a bag containing an explosive device, a can of butane, lithium batteries, and a lighter, among other items, at Lehigh Valley International Airport. He then checked that bag on a flight bound for the Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida.
But when he heard his name paged over the airport’s public address system, Muffley immediately fled the airport and contacted his girlfriend to come and pick him up. He then changed his telephone number to avoid being tracked.
The FBI arrested Muffley on a criminal complaint and arrest warrant on February 28, 2023, and he pled guilty on January 17, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero praised the swift action of local, state, and federal enforcement officials in preventing a potentially deadly incident. ‘Today’s sentencing of Marc Muffley serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to strict regulations and safety protocols in air travel,’ she said.
The FBI and its partners remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all who work in and travel through our airports, said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. ‘Protecting the American people is the very core of our mission at the FBI, and this case demonstrates how seriously we must take this mission.’
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf.
As a nation, we cannot afford to take any chances when it comes to the safety and security of our citizens. Muffley’s actions were reckless and put countless lives at risk. His sentence serves as a warning to anyone who would attempt to compromise the safety of air travel.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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