A Nebraska airport passenger was arrested after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers allegedly discovered a homemade bomb inside his carry on.
Che Kristian Salpas, 27, was arrested at the Omaha’s Eppley Airport on September 5 after a scanner picked up a four-inch cardboard explosive device hiding in an empty pill container in his carry-on bag, according to a criminal complaint viewed by the Daily Mail.
Salpas was traveling from his parents’ home in Nebraska to Salt Lake City, Utah, when the device was discovered, per the document.
He allegedly denied ownership and told agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that he had seen the ‘firework’ at his parents’ home, but was unsure how it got in his bag, alongside rocks and a lighter.
The incident was highlighted by the TSA in a light-hearted Instagram post the day before the 25th anniversary of 9/11 which read: ‘Nothing punny about this one… A passenger at OMA airport claimed their parents bought the item, and they forgot it was in their bag.
‘Must have been a hard pill to swallow when they were ARRESTED.’
However, the tone of the post sparked criticism online with social media users accusing the TSA of being too flippant.
‘I don’t think it’s funny at all to be tweeting and making light of these items. Would like to see more serious commentary from TSA this is concerning,’ one person wrote.
Che Kristian Salpas was arrested at the Eppley Airport on September 5 after a four-inch cardboard explosive device was allegedly found hiding in his bag
The device lit up green on scanners, indicating suspected energetic material, according to police. A bomb squad officer later determined it to be an explosive device
‘TSA could catch a lawsuit for this today maybe y’all should stop playing because you guys don’t take things like this as a joke but you’re making the USA look like a clown,’ another added.
‘Wrong way to honor the anniversary,’ a third person added.
The device was allegedly discovered when Salpas’ bags went through the scanners, where agents said they saw a 4×1 tube filled with powder in his bag that lit up neon green, indicating suspected energetic material.
The blue and red striped tube had a green hobby/cannon fuse attached to its center and end caps on each end, per the complaint.
An Omaha bomb squad officer determined it was an explosive device that was meant to blow up after the powder was initiated.
Salpas’s alleged bomb was taken out of the airport by local police.
He was scheduled to fly to Salt Lake City on Delta Flight 3815 in seat 10A at 12.42pm on September 5.
Instead, Salpas was charged with carrying an explosive into an airport and booked into the Douglas County Jail, where he remains.
On Thursday, TSA made fun of the potential bomb in a tone-deaf post the day before the 25th anniversary of 9/11
A lighter and other items were allegedly found in Salpas’ bag
The explosive device was allegedly found in a pill container inside Salpas’ bag
The incident unfolded at Omaha’s Eppley Airport in Nebraska earlier this month
TSA was born out of the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack to prevent similar tragedies from happening.
The agency marked the 25th anniversary in a press release, stating its mission is to ‘strengthen transportation security and restore confidence in the aviation system.’
‘For 25 years, the men and women of TSA have carried out this mission with vigilance, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to the American people,’ TSA Administrator David P Cummins said in a statement.
‘As we remember those we lost on September 11 and honor the service that followed, we also look ahead. The threats we face today are sophisticated and constantly evolving.’
Nearly 3,000 people died on that fateful day 25 years ago, the majority of them inside the Twin Towers and on the planes that crashed into the buildings in New York City.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Salpas’ lawyer and TSA for comment.
