PHILADELPHIA — A Dallas Township man is facing a federal charge after police say he brought fireworks to Philadelphia International Airport while trying to catch a cross-country flight.

Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan says 29-year-old Joseph Picklo is charged with possession of a destructive device for allegedly carrying explosives to a security checkpoint Thursday morning.

Sullivan says Picklo had “commercial grade M-80s” in a backpack. He says Picklo told investigators he has a professional interest in the explosives.

A police spokeswoman said earlier the explosives may have been left in a bag accidentally. Sullivan says the situation is still under investigation.

Picklo remains in custody. A phone listing for him could not immediately be located.
An airport spokeswoman says the checkpoint was closed for about 30 minutes but no flights were delayed.

Dallas Township Police, along with federal agents were at Picklo's house on Harris Street in Dallas Township conducting a search.

Philadelphia police say Picklo was detained around 6 a.m. Thursday after a suspicious item was spotted in his carry-on luggage.

The website of Fox Philadelphia cites a source as saying Picklo was on his way to San Francisco with what were "apparently two small homemade fireworks."

Officer Christine O'Brien says the items appear to be fireworks and may have been left in the bag accidentally. She says there are no initial indications the incident is related to terrorism but the police, FBI and TSA are investigating.