MOSCOW, February 7 (RAPSI, Ingrid Burke) - A Russian university student living in central Pennsylvania faces federal charges after law enforcement officers allegedly discovered explosive devices in his room, according to court documents obtained by RAPSI.

“Miftakhov indicated to law enforcement initially that he was making fireworks. However, Miftakhov later stated that he possessed the items because ‘he was going to blow things up,’” according to a law enforcement affidavit filed Thursday.

A criminal complaint filed with the US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania states that Vladislav Miftakhov violated US law by way of the “Unlawful receipt, possession, or making of an unregistered firearm/destructive device.”

The affidavit supporting the complaint alleges that on January 24, law enforcement officers found a suitcase in Miftakhov’s room containing an aluminum object with an exposed fuse as well as a gas cartridge, also with an exposed fuse. Two days later, officers allegedly found in his residence a shell casing, inside of which was a handwritten scroll stating: “If you find this, you will never find me… by Vlaidslav Mikhailov.”

Among the other items found were magnesium cord, dozens of empty CO2 cartridges, loose fuses, and packages labeled with descriptions like “1 lb. of Atomized Magnesium 100-200 mesh,” and “1 lb. of Potassium Perchlorate Chinese.”

According to the affidavit, “Miftakhov indicated that a mixture of the Potassium Perchlorate and Atomized Magnesium were inside of the two completed devices.” The affidavit alleges that Miftakhov explained to law enforcement officials how he had constructed the two completed devices.

A witness interviewed by law enforcement officials had accompanied Miftakhov in recent weeks to blow up cartridge devices in a nearby field, according to the affidavit. The document made no mention of property damage.

Local police officers had been summoned to Miftakhov’s residence initially by a landlord concerned with the possibility that the student’s apartment may have doubled as something of a marijuana garden, according to the affidavit – which notes that Mfitakhov consented to a search of his apartment.

The affidavit was authored by Special Agent Ben Cornali of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Cornali noted that he had participated in the investigation against Miftakhov with the support of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as well as police forces at the state and local levels.

Miftakhov made an initial appearance in court on Thursday.

According to local news outlet The Altoona Mirror, Miftakhov had initially faced state charges – but those will be withdrawn in light of the federal charges. The Mirror quoted Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio as having stated that federal law clearly provides tougher sentencing options upon conviction. The report added that Miftakhov, a Russian native, has obtained lawful permanent residency in the US.