WEST VIRGINIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY AFTER TRYING TO CARRY FLASHBANG GRENADE THROUGH PITTSBURGH AIRPORT SECURITY

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A West Virginia man has pleaded guilty in federal court after Transportation Security Administration officers detected a flashbang grenade inside his carry-on luggage at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Zachary Velling, 27, of Morgantown, West Virginia, pleaded guilty on September 2, 2026, to one count of possessing an unregistered firearm before U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

According to information presented to the court, Velling entered the security screening area at Pittsburgh International Airport on November 12, 2024, and placed his carry-on luggage through an X-ray screening machine.

TSA personnel observed a suspicious object inside the bag and alerted law enforcement.

Officers with the Allegheny County Police Department examined the object and determined it was an MK24 MOD 0,6 Bang/Flash diversionary hand grenade.

Federal prosecutors said the grenade was not registered to Velling in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, resulting in the federal charge to which he has now pleaded guilty.

Federal law classifies the grenade as both a firearm and a destructive device.

Airport screening added another layer of concern because the device was discovered during passenger security screening before Velling attempted to board an aircraft.

In this case, the initial detection by TSA was followed by examination from Allegheny County police, and the matter later developed into a federal prosecution involving several agencies.

Judge Hornak scheduled Velling’s sentencing for January 7, 2027.

Federal law provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

The maximum penalty does not determine the sentence Velling will ultimately receive. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence will be based on the seriousness of the offense and his prior criminal history, if any.

Velling’s guilty plea distinguishes the case from a pending indictment or complaint in which guilt has not yet been determined.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Police Department, and Transportation Security Administration.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting the case for the United States.

United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the guilty plea.

Velling now remains scheduled for sentencing in January, when the court will determine the penalty for possessing the unregistered flashbang grenade discovered in his carry-on luggage.

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