Nevadan faces federal charges in discovery of blasting cap

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 20-year-old Nevada man who was caught trying to board a plane at the Syracuse airport with a blasting cap now faces federal charges.

When he was arrested Saturday, Anthony Montoya of Spring Creek was charged by Syracuse city police with felony criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property, a misdemeanor.

Spring Creek is about 456 miles north of Las Vegas.

Federal prosecutors Tuesday charged Montoya with attempting to transport an explosive detonator on a commercial airliner.

The device, found during a routine baggage screening, was a blasting cap connected to 16 feet of shock tubing.

Montoya denied knowing it was in his bag and told officers he had no idea how it got there, police reports said.

Montoya posted bail on the city charges and was ordered released on conditions and $1,000 bail by U.S. Magistrate George Lowe.