Russian teen charged with possessing weapon of mass destruction, Pennsylvania authorities say
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A teenage Russian national was arrested late Friday on charges of possessing a weapon of mass destruction, police in Altoona, Pa. said.
Blair County Prison confirmed to Fox News that Vladislav Miftakhov, 19, is in custody.
Altoon Mayor Matthew Pacifico said Miftakjov is a student at Penn State University Altoona.
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He is charged with possessing a weapon of mass destruction, risking a catastrophe, possessing instruments of crime, prohibited offensive weapons, incendiary devices, recklessly endangering another person, and several drug-related charges.
Officers had been investigating an alleged marijuana growing operation when they discovered the alleged bomb, according to a statement posted on the police department's Facebook page.
They said the bomb was found inside a suitcase along with "assorted bomb making materials."
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"The bomb was safely deconstructed by experts from the Pennsylvania State Police Bomb Squad," the statement read.
Miftakhov allegedly told investigators he bought the bomb-making materials online over the past few weeks.
Police did not release any details about a possible motive or possible targets.
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Mayor Pacifico said the city had "quite a scare."
"This is something you hear about in big cities or movies, but not something you would think would happen in a place like Altoona," he told Fox News.
The Altoona Police Department said federal agencies had been notified and are assisting with the investigation.
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