ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Carbon County man accused of packing a makeshift explosive device into his luggage, then trying to board a plane at Lehigh Valley International Airport, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two charges.
Mark Muffley, 41, of Lansford, entered pleas to attempting to bring explosive materials onto an airplane and possessing such an item within the bounds of an airport.
Together, the charges could carry a maximum of 15 years in prison. Muffley will be sentenced later.
According to court documents, Muffley on Feb. 27, 2023, concealed a crudely constructed explosive device in his luggage and tried to board a plane from LVIA to Florida. His attorney previously described the contents as fireworks.
Muffley entered the pleas after extensive questioning by U.S. District Court Judge John Gallagher to ensure he understood the ramifications.
Attempting to bring explosive materials onto an airplane carries a maximum of 10 years, and the possession charge up to five. Each offense also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and a two-year period of supervision after release.
Muffley's attorney said he agreed to most of the facts of the case as presented by the FBI, but disputed the explosive material was "hidden" in the lining of the suitcase.
He also challenged the FBI's interpretation of some of the events that occurred after the device and luggage was intercepted — such as what Muffley's partner heard from him when she picked him up at the airport.
The FBI said she told them Muffley was nervous about his luggage, and Muffley's lawyer said he was nervous about paying child support.
According to the FBI criminal complaint, Muffley checked the bag at LVIA for an Allegiant flight headed from Allentown to Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida.
The bag never made it on the plane. It set off an alarm as the baggage was being screened by the Transportation Security Administration, according to the criminal complaint.
Muffley was paged over the airport's public address system but didn't respond, according to the complaint. The FBI said surveillance video captured Muffley leaving the airport about five minutes later.
'There's nobody there for them'
Muffley's supporters filled an entire row in the courtroom at the Edward N. Cahn federal courthouse.
Among them was his partner of more than 10 years, who identified herself as Dawn. She bowed her head and closed her eyes with hands clasped before Muffley — at one point described as her fiancé — took the stand.
"It's nice to see this. It's sad, because many times, people don't have anyone show up — they look over their shoulder and there's nobody there for them."Judge John Gallagher, addressing Mark Muffley's family and friends in the courtroom
Next to Dawn was Muffley's mother, Lisa. She filled out more than a dozen pages on a notebook during the hearing.
In the next seat was Muffley's grandfather, who wore a blue Hawaiian shirt and sat stoically.
"It's nice to see this," Judge Gallagher said, addressing the row of Muffley's supporters and thanking them for showing up.
"It's sad, because many times, people don't have anyone show up. They look over their shoulder and there's nobody there for them."
Muffley, who has been in U.S. Marshal's custody since his arrest last year, entered the courtroom to dead silence.
He had his hair slicked back and appeared to have recently shaved his beard
Muffley's attorney Jonathan McDonald patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "How are you doing?"
Muffley replied, "I'm OK."
The role of opioids
Gallagher, as is normal in a plea hearing, questioned at length Muffley's willingness to formally plead guilty. He asked more than 10 questions about Muffley's personal circumstances and how they could affect his understanding of what he's getting into.
Those included Muffley's struggles with mental health, bipolar disorder and drugs.
Muffley said that in 2016, things were going OK for him. He was 16 years out of high school (he graduated in 2000, from a Florida school) and staying out of trouble.
"Yes, your honor, I have."Mike Muffley, answering a judge's question as to whether he's stayed sober
Then, he said, he got a back injury. During his medical care, he said, he was prescribed an opioid for pain management and he ended up getting addicted.
That, he said, was where his life sort of went off the rails.
McDonald said Muffley also has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Muffley, who sounded nervous and fearful for much of the hearing, did not sound that way when he answered the judge's question, "Have you been sober while in custody?"
To this, Muffley sat upright and said, "Yes, your honor, I have."
Sentencing is set for May 27.
At least 14 days before that hearing, his defense team is required to submit a pre-sentence report.
