A Pennsylvania man was arrested in Wilkes-Barre after a counterterrorism investigation determined him to be attempting to possess or manufacture weapons of mass destruction.
24-year-old Saleh Edwards was arrested and charged with criminal attempt to possess or manufacture weapons of mass destruction. The investigation was launched by city police and the FBI after a report of suspicious activity.
According to a report by WNEP, investigators executed a court-authorized search of Edwards’ home on Sunday. Court documents related to the case remain sealed, leaving limited public information about what authorities allegedly discovered during the search. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 6, when additional details may be released.
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce told the outlet that a motive has not been identified and authorities do not yet know what Edwards allegedly planned to do with the explosive device. He said the investigation began after a neighbor raised concerns about suspicious activity at the residence.
During the search, Saint Clair Street was blocked off as police, county detectives, and FBI special agents searched the home. Sanguedolce described the case as a “joint counterterrorism investigation” involving multiple agencies.
Edwards was arraigned on Sunday and denied bail by Judge Donald L. Whittaker, who cited concerns about public safety. Edwards is currently being held at a county jail.
The arrest comes months after a separate, unrelated incident in Pennsylvania, in which a man who brought firearms to a “No Kings” protest in Chester County later pleaded guilty after explosive devices were found at his residence.
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