Sexual assault investigation leads to weapons of mass destruction

Vivian Muniz

Mon, December 29, 2025 at 5:09 PM UTC

1 min read

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police say an investigation into sexual assault reports led to the discovery of multiple weapons of mass destruction.

On December 11, the Pittston Township Police Department said they were investigating multiple incidents of alleged sexual assault involving a man identified as Ryan McDermott.

Police say when they executed a search warrant at a residence associated with McDermott, they found multiple firearms, including shotguns, rifles, a belt-fed machine gun, and an AR-15 style rifle.

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An arrest warrant was issued for McDermott, and state police say on December 18, when they encountered his vehicle, he fled, starting a chase with troopers. PSP eventually lost track of McDemrott during the chase.

On December 19, a man who was letting McDermott stay at his residence called state police, stating he had found a “large cache of weapons” that McDermott had left there.

As stated in the affidavit, when troopers went to investigate, they found multiple firearms, ammunition, and multiple explosive devices, such as suspected pipe bombs and grenades. Troopers also discovered several handwritten papers that had notes stating “can of “BBS”, for pipebombs, let them stay soaked in water so they rust, for more explosion as well as possible tetanus infection,” according to court documents.

Police say they were later able to locate and take McDermott into custody; details of the arrest were not provided.

McDemrott has been charged with unlawful possession of weapons of mass destruction and other related offenses.

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