A California resident is facing federal charges after allegedly attempting to bring an explosive device through security at Sacramento International Airport. The incident occurred as he was preparing to board a flight bound for North Carolina.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California announced that Kimani Osayande Jones, also known as Kimani Osayande Jackson, aged 49 and hailing from Sacramento, has been charged with the unlawful possession of explosive material at an airport.
According to the court documents, Jones attempted to go through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at around 9 p.m. on May 30. He was planning to board American Airlines Flight 2464, which was scheduled to depart from Sacramento to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Officials reported that Jones approached the security checkpoint with his face covered by a scarf and wearing blue latex gloves.
A federal criminal complaint includes a photo showing the explosive device that authorities claim was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on luggage at Sacramento International Airport, provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
Authorities allege that a search of his carry-on backpack revealed an M-type explosive device, a torch lighter capable of igniting it, a knife, scissors, a scissor blade, an aerosol can and zip ties. The device was described in court records as a brown cylindrical object measuring about 2.5 inches long with a green fuse protruding from one end.
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According to the criminal complaint, Jones initially told officers he did not know the items were in his bag and said he would be willing to discard them. After officers explained that explosive devices could not simply be thrown away, Jones allegedly denied ownership of the backpack.
Jones was arrested at the airport, and bomb technicians from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI secured the area and safely removed the device. Court records state authorities placed a bomb-suppression blanket over the device and restricted access to the area while it was being examined.
Federal investigators say a knife, scissors, lighter and other items were recovered from the carry-on bag of a passenger arrested at Sacramento International Airport. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California)
Federal prosecutors said Jones was also carrying five cellphones. According to the complaint, all five phones had tape covering their front-facing cameras. One phone allegedly had a 15-minute timer ready to start, while another displayed a message from an unidentified number stating, “we will be awaiting your call.”
The device was later tested by bomb technicians. Prosecutors said investigators determined the powder and fuse were viable and energetic. The complaint states the device contained approximately 9.29 grams of powder, believed to be either pyrotechnic powder or flash powder, although laboratory testing is still pending.
According to court documents cited by the Justice Department, the device had the potential to cause serious injury and, if detonated next to a window on a pressurized aircraft flying above 10,000 feet, could have damaged the aircraft and potentially caused a loss of cabin pressure.
A view of Sacramento International Airport, where federal authorities say a passenger was arrested after an explosive device was discovered in his carry-on luggage. (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)
The complaint also states that Jones’ checked luggage had already been screened and loaded onto the Charlotte-bound flight before his arrest. After the plane arrived in North Carolina, explosive-detection dogs and investigators searched the luggage but found nothing suspicious.
Federal investigators also detailed several contacts they believe Jones had with the FBI before his arrest. According to the affidavit, a caller believed to be Jones contacted the FBI multiple times beginning in March, reporting that he was being threatened, followed and monitored. The FBI said it received approximately 13 such reports.
Jones invoked his right to remain silent after his arrest and was not interviewed by investigators, according to the complaint.
A second court filing in the case remains under seal.
If convicted, Jones could face up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and up to two years of supervised release.
