A Pennsylvania man has been handed a 30-month prison sentence after trying to sneak an explosive device onto a commercial plane. Marc Muffley, 41, from the small town of Lansford, was sentenced for the airport scare he triggered last year at Lehigh Valley International Airport en route to Orlando, FL.
On that frightful February day in 2023, Muffley was caught with a sinister mix of explosive materials—including a butane can, lithium batteries and a lighter—bundled in his baggage. Realizing he caught the attention of airport authorities after hearing his name over the PA system, Muffley attempted to hastily flee the premises. His efforts to avoid arrest were short-lived, though; he was swiftly apprehended by the FBI the following day, according to a press release obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice.
In January, Muffley pled guilty to the charges and has now been sentenced by United States District Court Judge John M. Gallagher to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
"Today's sentencing of Marc Muffley serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to strictly following all regulations and safety protocols in air travel," U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero remarked. She also stressed the "grave risk of fire, explosion, and catastrophic consequences" that bringing explosives on a plane represents. Romero's sentiments were echoed by the FBI, which conducted an investigation with assistance from multiple agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration. "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," said FBI Philadelphia's special agent in charge, Wayne A. Jacobs, in a statement that highlighted the potential disaster averted by their quick action.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf is prosecuting the case, a collaborative effort bolstered by the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority and the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General. The FBI continues to rigorously enforce safety and security at airports, prioritizing the well-being of passengers and crew as paramount.
