California Man Faces Federal Charges for Attempting to Bring Explosives on Plane
A man from California has been charged with serious federal offenses after allegedly trying to pass through a security checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport with explosives in his carry-on bag. He was preparing for a flight to North Carolina.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California identified the individual as Kimani Osayande Jackson, 49, also known as Kimani Osayande Jones. He’s facing charges for criminal possession of explosives at an airport.
According to court documentation, Jones attempted to navigate the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint around 9 p.m. on May 30, getting ready to board American Airlines Flight 2464 bound for Charlotte.
When he arrived, authorities noted that he was wearing a scarf covering his face and blue latex gloves.
A search of his carry-on backpack allegedly uncovered a Type M explosive device, along with an ignitable torch lighter, a knife, scissors, scissor blades, an aerosol can, and zip ties. The explosive device was described in court documents as a brown cylinder about 2.5 inches long, featuring a green fuse sticking out from one end.
Initially, Jones reportedly told the officers he had no idea there were dangerous items in his backpack and mentioned he wouldn’t mind throwing them away. Interestingly, he denied ownership of the bag once it was explained to him that explosives can’t just be tossed aside.
Jones was arrested at the airport, while bomb technicians from both the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI responded to the scene, ensuring the device was safely handled. They covered the item with a bomb-suppression blanket and limited area access during their inspection.
The investigation also revealed that Jones had five cellphones on him. Strangely, the front cameras on all of them were covered with tape. One of the phones was set with a timer for 15 minutes, while another had received a cryptic message stating, “We’re waiting for your call.”
Subsequent testing demonstrated that the explosive device contained viable gunpowder and fuse. Prosecutors noted it had approximately 9.29 grams of powder thought to be either pyrotechnics or flash powder, though laboratory verification is pending.
The potential dangers of this device are significant. If it were to detonate near a window on a pressurized aircraft flying above 10,000 feet, it could cause severe injuries, significant damage to the aircraft, and lead to a loss of cabin pressure, according to the Justice Department’s documents.
The complaint also indicated that Jones had checked baggage that had already been searched and placed on the plane before he was apprehended. Upon the flight’s arrival in North Carolina, explosive-sniffing dogs conducted a search of the luggage but found no threats.
Moreover, federal investigators noted that Jones had made several prior contacts with the FBI prior to his arrest. Reports suggested he claimed to have been threatened and monitored, having made around 13 such reports since early March.
After being apprehended, Jones exercised his right to remain silent and did not provide further statements to investigators.
A secondary court filing concerning this matter remains sealed. If found guilty, Jones could face a maximum of five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and as much as two years of supervised release.
