Sacramento Airport Bomber Had Chilling Six-Word Text When Caught
A California man was arrested at Sacramento International Airport with explosives in his carry-on bag and a cryptic text reading "We will be awaiting your call" on his phone.
Kimani Osayande Jones, 49, was detained by TSA agents on Saturday after security officers discovered his carry-on luggage contained bombs and weapons, as New York Post reports.
Federal prosecutors revealed the cryptic six-word message was found on one of Jones’ phones, while a separate device allegedly displayed a 15-minute countdown timer.
The FBI states Jones was preparing to board an American Airlines flight from Sacramento to Charlotte, North Carolina, when he was stopped.
Investigators say he approached the security checkpoint around 9 p.m. wearing blue latex gloves and a scarf covering his face while carrying five cell phones.
Explosive Device Found in Carry-On
TSA officers conducting a search of his backpack allegedly discovered an M-type pyrotechnic explosive, a torch lighter ready to ignite it, a knife, scissors, a scissor blade, an aerosol can, and zip ties.
The explosive device was described as a brown cylinder approximately 2.5 inches long with a green fuse extending from one end.
Bomb technicians subsequently tested and disposed of the explosive. Federal prosecutors confirmed both the powder and fuse were viable and energetic.
The complaint indicates the device contained roughly 9.29 grams of powder suspected to be pyrotechnic or flash powder, though laboratory testing has not yet been completed.
Authorities cautioned the explosive was capable of inflicting serious damage.
Prosecutors warned that the explosive device had the potential to cause injury and could have damaged the aircraft if detonated next to a window on a pressurized plane flying above 10,000 feet, possibly causing loss of cabin pressure.
Previous Contact with Federal Authorities
Compounding concerns, Jones’ checked luggage had already been loaded onto the Charlotte-bound aircraft before his arrest. After the plane landed, investigators and explosive-detection dogs examined the luggage but discovered nothing suspicious.
Court records show Jones had previous interactions with federal authorities.
Starting in March, a caller believed to be Jones contacted the FBI approximately 13 times, claiming he was being threatened, followed and monitored, according to New York Post.
Faces Federal Charges
Jones was charged Tuesday with unlawfully possessing explosive materials and remains jailed without bail on a federal hold.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Federal authorities said the discovery may have prevented a potentially catastrophic incident aboard the packed commercial flight.
With information from New York Post
