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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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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\u2019s jail records.<\/p>\n
The agents\u2019 discovery derailed potential disaster, said U.S. Attorneys officials in Sacramento, in a statement.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Inside Jones\u2019 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\u2019s and FBI bomb technicians disposed and tested the explosive.<\/p>\n
Officials said the explosive\u2019s powder and fuse were \u201cviable and energetic,\u201d capable of sizable damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d the statement read.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u201cwe will be awaiting your call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones is being held without bail in Sacramento County Main Jail on a federal hold, according to sheriff\u2019s jail records.<\/p>\n
Jones faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.<\/p>\n
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