A 49-year-old man from Sacramento has been charged with unlawfully possessing explosive materials at an airport after allegedly attempting to pass through a security checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport with a device powerful enough to damage an aircraft, according to federal prosecutors.
Details of the Incident
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly wearing a scarf covering his face and latex gloves when he approached the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint over the weekend. U.S. Attorney Eric Grant stated in a news release that the individual was carrying a torch lighter, a knife, zip ties, and five cell phones. One of the phones had a 15-minute timer set to begin, while another displayed a message from a different number reading, “we will be awaiting your call.”
The Explosive Device
Evidence photos released by prosecutors show a cardboard tube, approximately the size of a toilet paper roll, fitted with a green fuse. Bomb technicians who examined the device confirmed that the powder and fuse were viable and energetic. Grant explained that if the device had detonated next to a window on a pressurized aircraft flying above 10,000 feet (3 kilometers), it could have damaged the aircraft and potentially caused a loss of cabin pressure.
Before the device was removed from the airport, officers placed a bomb blast suppression blanket over it and cordoned off the immediate area, as detailed in the federal complaint.
Legal Proceedings
The man was arrested on Saturday and made his initial appearance in federal court in Sacramento on Wednesday. He is charged with unlawful possession of explosive material in an airport. The complaint also alleges that he made rambling calls to the FBI in the months leading up to the incident, claiming he was being threatened and intimidated.
His public defender, Meghan McLoughlin, stated in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday that there is often more to these cases than the government’s allegations, and that the criminal process will reveal her client’s story. It remains unclear how extensively the man was searched at the TSA checkpoint.
Context and Security Measures
This incident comes after changes to airport security procedures. Last year, air travelers in the United States were no longer required to remove their shoes during security screenings, a measure that had been in place since 2006 following the failed attempt by “shoe bomber” Richard Reid to bring down a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001.
