(FOX40.COM) — A man is in custody after allegedly bringing an explosive device into the Sacramento airport, federal prosecutors said.
The U.S. Department of Justice brought charges Monday against Kimani Osayande Jones, also known as Kimani Osayande Jackson, a 49-year-old man from Sacramento.
Prosecutors said the explosive device was found when Jones attempted to go through a TSA checkpoint Saturday night at around 9 p.m. at the Sacramento International Airport.
Officials found an “M-type explosive device,” a torch lighter that could light the explosive, a knife, scissors, scissor blades, an aerosol can and zip ties in his carry-on bag, the DOJ said in a news release Monday.
The explosive contained more than 9 grams of powder, which investigators suspect to be possibly from a firework or improvised powder.
Additionally, Jones was carrying five cellphones. Prosecutors said one of the phones had a 15-minute timer ready to start and another had a message from an unidentified number on the screen that read “we will be awaiting your call.”
Jones was wearing a scarf covering his face and latex gloves on his hands at the time, the DOJ said.
The explosive device Jones allegedly carried. (Credit: Federal court documents)
The explosive device was “safely removed,” federal officials said, and Jones was arrested. The device was handled by Sacramento County Sheriff Bomb Technicians and an FBI Special Agent Bomb Technician.
“The explosive device was subsequently examined and tested, and the powder and fuse were determined to be viable and energetic,” the DOJ said. “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.”
Prosecutors say Jones was attempting to board American Airlines Flight 2464, which was bound for Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jones had previous contact with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and with the FBI, prosecutors say. According to court documents, deputies reported Jones “had a history of being paranoid.”
The FBI also reported that a caller, believed to be Jones, called the FBI tipline on May 24 and then again on May 30, reporting what appear to be paranoid delusions. Officials also believe Jones called the Sacramento FBI office and reported that someone was stalking him and “sabotaging him while he sleeps.”
Jones is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong. He was charged Monday in Sacramento federal court with unlawfully possessing explosive material in an airport, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said.
If convicted, Jones would face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
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