Sacramento man arrested at airport after TSA found explosives faces federal charges
A Sacramento man arrested this weekend at Sacramento International Airport after TSA agents detected suspected explosive materials, a timer and a cryptic message in his carry-on luggage now faces federal charges in the incident, FBI officials said Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors Tuesday filed charges of unlawfully possessing explosive materials against Kimani Osayande Jones, also known as Jackson, 49, of Sacramento, in the 9 p.m. Saturday incident, said U.S. Attorney’s Office officials in Sacramento, in a news release. Jones is being held without bail in Sacramento County Main Jail on a federal hold, according to sheriff’s jail records.
The agents’ discovery derailed potential disaster, said U.S. Attorneys officials in Sacramento, in a statement.
Prosecutors allege Jones approached a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at the airport ahead of boarding, where he wore a scarf around his face and latex gloves that covered his hands.
Inside Jones’ bag, attorneys said, were an illegal M-type pyrotechnic explosive and a torch lighter, along with a knife, scissors and scissor blades, an aerosol can, and zip ties. Sacramento County sheriff’s and FBI bomb technicians disposed and tested the explosive.
Officials said the explosive’s powder and fuse were “viable and energetic,” capable of sizable damage.
“The explosive device had the potential to cause injury and, if the explosive device had detonated next to a window on a pressurized aircraft flying above 10,000 feet, it had the potential to damage the aircraft and cause a possible loss of cabin pressure,” the statement read.”
TSA agents also found five cellular phones, one with a 15-minute timer set and readied; a second displaying an unidentified number and a message that read “we will be awaiting your call.”
Jones is being held without bail in Sacramento County Main Jail on a federal hold, according to sheriff’s jail records.
Jones faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.
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