Sacramento Man Arrested at SMF Airport With Homemade Bomb, Knife, Zip Ties & Five Cell Phones — Kimani Osayande Jones Faces Federal Charges

By Lance The PI | CA PI #27617 | Lance The PI News | Sacramento, CA

A Sacramento man was arrested at Sacramento International Airport — SMF — on May 30, 2026 after TSA screeners discovered a homemade explosive device, a knife, zip ties, scissors, a torch lighter, an aerosol can, and five cell phones inside his carry-on bag. The suspect, identified as Kimani Osayande Jones, also known as Kimani Osayande Jackson, 49, of Sacramento, was attempting to board an American Airlines flight to Charlotte, North Carolina when he was stopped at the TSA security checkpoint at Terminal A.

Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California filed a criminal complaint on June 2, 2026 charging Jones with unlawfully possessing explosive material in an airport. He is currently held at Sacramento County Main Jail with no bail on a federal hold.

What Happened at Sacramento International Airport

According to court documents, at approximately 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Jones approached a TSA security checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport wearing a scarf covering his face and blue latex gloves on his hands. TSA agents flagged him for additional screening and upon searching his carry-on bag discovered a collection of items that immediately triggered a federal response.

Inside the bag authorities found an M-type improvised explosive device, a torch lighter capable of igniting it, a knife, scissors and scissor blades, an aerosol can, and zip ties. Jones was also carrying five cell phones — and every single one of those phones had painter’s tape covering the front-facing cameras, which investigators believe was intended to prevent his surroundings from being recorded.

Five Cell Phones — A Timer and A Cryptic Message

One of the five cell phones had a 15-minute countdown timer ready to start. A second phone displayed a message on the screen from an unidentified number that read: “we will be awaiting your call.” As a former law enforcement officer with 10 years on the job and 25 years as a licensed private investigator here in Sacramento — when you see a homemade bomb, zip ties, five phones with taped cameras, a timer, and someone waiting for a call — that is not random. That is a plan.

The Explosive Device — Viable and Energetic

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office bomb technicians and an FBI Special Agent bomb technician safely removed the explosive device from Sacramento International Airport. Upon examination and testing the powder and fuse were determined to be viable and energetic. This thing worked.

According to the DOJ press release, if the 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 loss of cabin pressure. Jones’ checked luggage had already been loaded onto American Airlines Flight 2464 bound for Charlotte, North Carolina. That luggage was hand searched and examined by a canine unit and nothing illegal or concerning was found.

13 Calls to the FBI Tip Line

Here is what most outlets are not covering. An individual investigators believe to be Jones made approximately 13 calls to the FBI tip line beginning in March 2026 — months before the May 30 incident. In those calls he reported being followed, threatened, and intimidated. On May 24 he called to report being followed to and from a doctor’s appointment.

In one call he stated he was being coerced in his sleep through digital media and described hearing sounds through walls, windows, and from outside that he attributed to drones. That call was terminated due to its nonsensical nature. On the day of the incident Jones again called the FBI tip line, referenced his Second Amendment rights, and stated he had no intention of harming anyone.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office also noted it had prior contact with Jones and that he had a documented history of paranoia.

What Jones Said When He Was Caught

When officers confronted Jones at the checkpoint he told them he was unaware the items were in his bag and offered to simply discard them. When authorities informed him that explosive material cannot be thrown away he denied ownership of the backpack entirely. He was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on May 31, 2026.

Federal Charges and Legal Consequences

Kimani Osayande Jones has been federally charged with unlawfully possessing explosive material in an airport. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong and was announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. If convicted Jones faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. He is currently ineligible for bail and being held on a federal hold at Sacramento County Main Jail.

Jones’ defense attorney Meghan McLoughlin released a statement saying there is more to this story and that the criminal process will reveal her client’s side. The investigation remains active and no official motive has been released.

The charges are only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.