Pittsburgh, PA (WOAY) – A West Virgina man has been indicted by a federal grand on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
26-year-old Zachary Vincent Velling of Morgantown was indicted on possession of an unregistered firearm Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Pa. The incident occurred at Pittsburgh International Airport on November 12, 2024, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Zachary Velling is accused of having a flashbang grenade in his carry-on luggage while making his way through security at the airport, prosecutors said.
According to the media release, a flashbang grenade is a firearm and destructive device under federal law and was not registered to Velling in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
“Attempting to pass through airport security with any firearm or destructive device poses an unacceptable risk of harm to the innocent traveling public,” said Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. “This danger is heightened when, as in this case, the destructive device is possessed illegally. We are steadfast in our commitment to work with our partners at the FBI, ATF, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and Transportation Security Administration to ensure safe air travel.”
If convicted Velling faces up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced.
