Vladislav Miftakhov, 19. (Image source: Altoona Police Department)
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Story by the Associated Press; Curated by Oliver Darcy.
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ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — Authorities in central Pennsylvania say they've arrested a man who allegedly built a suspected bomb with materials bought online.
Police charged 19-year-old Vladislav Miftakhov of Altoona with possessing a weapon of mass destruction, risking a catastrophe and other counts.
Vladislav Miftakhov, 19. (Image source: Altoona Police Department)
It's not clear if Miftakhov has a lawyer. He's being held at the Blair County prison.
Police say they were investigating a reported marijuana growing operation at Miftakhov's address on Friday when they found and dismantled the suspected bomb.
They also allegedly found a suitcase containing explosives-related material. Police say Miftakhov told them he purchased the equipment online over the past few weeks.
WJAC-TV reports the suspect is a Russian citizen. The Altoona Mirror says Miftakhov is an engineering major at Penn State-Altoona.
Altoona police could not be reached Saturday.
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