PHILADELPHIA (AP) -
A former Arizona State University professor has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly claiming to have explosives at Philadelphia's iconic Liberty Bell.
The Philadelphia Inquirer says 41-year-old Carlos Balsas of Tempe, Ariz., was held for trial on charges of making a bomb threat, possessing an instrument of crime and related counts following a preliminary hearing Friday. He remains in prison in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.
Police say Balsas entered the tourist site in Philadelphia's historic district on Jan. 26 and told a security screener that his two bags contained explosives.
Balsas left but was stopped by park rangers a block away and arrested after a brief struggle. Two backpacks found nearby contained no explosives.
Defense attorney Mythri Jayaraman declined to comment on what might have motivated Balsas.
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