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A 30-year-old U.S. Marine could face charges after authorities accused him of having a live 25mm explosive round in his checked luggage Monday afternoon at Palm Springs International Airport in California.
Palm Springs police told ABC News that servicemember — identified as Ryan Weaver, of Henderson, Texas — had the explosive round in his checked luggage.
Transportation Security Administration officers discovered it and called law enforcement.
Police said Weaver told officers he found the device in the field a year ago and kept it. He allegedly thought it was inert. It was rusty and corroded, and the original paint markings were no longer visible on the round, according to police.
Officials said it was difficult to determine whether it was an inert training device or a live “high explosive device.”
A soldier’s uniform bears United States Marine Corps identification.
Jim Sugar/Getty Images
The Riverside County Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded and examined it using X-ray technology. Officials said it was clear at that point that it was a live round. The bomb squad moved it to a desert area, where it was detonated, according to police.
Weaver was detained but later released to military authorities, Palm Springs police said. The case will be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for possible charges of possessing a destructive device.
Police say he could also face administrative action by the Marine Corps and possible civil penalties from the federal government.
ABC News has reached out to TSA for a comment.
