Man Charged With Possession of Phony Rocket Launcher

LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland man has been arrested after authorities say he had a fake rocket launcher and a fake rocket projectile among his weapons arsenal.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says Hiram Angus Melvin was charged Wednesday with possession of a hoax weapon of mass destruction, two other weapons charges and a violation of probation.

Detetectives say they found the device with a military shipping tube, a rifle and a silencer in the trunk of his car, and that Melvin admitted the weapons were his. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.

The State Fire Marshal's Office, Tampa Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation.