A Morgantown, West Virginia resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possessing an unregistered firearm. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced that Zachary Vincent Velling, 26, is the sole defendant in this one-count indictment.
The indictment, along with information from the Allegheny County Police Department, states that on November 12, 2024, Velling went through airport security at Pittsburgh International Airport. His carry-on luggage, when passed through the x-ray machine, raised suspicions among representatives of the Transportation Security Administration. Officers from the Allegheny County Police Department identified the suspicious item as a MK24 MOD 0,6 Bang/Flash diversionary hand grenade. This type of grenade is classified under federal law as a destructive device and a firearm. It was not registered to Velling in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, leading to federal charges after initially being charged with possession of an offensive weapon and criminal attempt in the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas. These charges were dismissed following the federal indictment.
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti commented, "Attempting to pass through airport security with any firearm or destructive device poses an unacceptable risk of harm to the innocent traveling public. 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."
The possible sentence for this charge includes up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The sentence would depend on the offense's seriousness and the defendant's prior criminal history, if any, according to the federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is leading the prosecution of the case. The investigation before the indictment involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and the Transportation Security Administration.
It is important to note that an indictment serves as an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
