West Virginia man pleads guilty after bringing flash-bang grenade to Pittsburgh airport
A West Virginia man has pleaded guilty after bringing a flash-bang grenade in his carry-on luggage to Pittsburgh International Airport in 2024, according to federal prosecutors.
Zachary Velling, 27, of Morgantown, pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing an unregistered firearm. The charge stems from an incident on Nov. 12, 2024, when Velling entered the main security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport and placed his carry-on bag through an X-ray machine.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers spotted a suspicious object in the bag at about 9:35 a.m. and alerted Allegheny County Police. Officers determined the object was an MK24 MOD 0,6 Bang/Flash diversionary hand grenade.
A county bomb squad technician confirmed that the grenade was live before it was safely removed from the airport. The FBI was notified.
Federal prosecutors said the grenade is classified as a firearm and destructive device under federal law, but was not registered to Velling in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Velling faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
