A federal grand jury in the United States has indicted 49-year-old Kimani Osayande Jones after an improvised explosive device with a timer set for 15 minutes was discovered in his carry-on luggage during a security screening at Sacramento International Airport (SMF). On May 30, Jones allegedly attempted to board American Airlines Flight AA2464 bound for Charlotte (CLT).
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a detailed inspection of Jones’ carry-on bag uncovered a Type M improvised explosive device, a flare lighter capable of igniting the device, a knife, scissors and scissor blades, an aerosol spray can, and plastic zip ties.
Investigators also found five mobile phones in the passenger’s possession. Court documents state that one of the phones had an active timer set for 15 minutes and ready to initiate the device.
After the suspicious items were discovered, the luggage was immediately isolated, and bomb disposal experts from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and an FBI explosives specialist were called to the scene. The device was safely removed and rendered harmless.
Subsequent examination and testing confirmed that both the explosive material and the fuse were functional and capable of detonation. According to U.S. authorities, the device could have caused serious injuries. Had it detonated near an aircraft window while the plane was pressurized at an altitude above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), it could have damaged the aircraft and potentially caused cabin depressurization.
The federal indictment charges Jones with attempting to bring a destructive device onto an aircraft, unlawful possession of explosive materials at an airport, and attempting to bring a dangerous weapon or explosive device onto a commercial airplane.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for attempting to bring an explosive device onto an aircraft, up to five years in prison for unlawful possession of explosive materials at an airport, and up to 10 years in prison for attempting to bring a dangerous weapon onto an airplane.
U.S. authorities emphasized that the charges are currently allegations made by prosecutors and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Source: Telegraf; Foto: Pexels / Jeffry Surianto