Maui man sentenced for possession of explosive powder

KULA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui man was sentenced to 40 months in prison for setting off a homemade explosive device near Kaamana Street in Kula, back in August 2024.

According to court records, Jess Kiesel Lee, 43, planted multiple homemade fireworks in the area, one of which had Lee’s finger prints on it.

The Maui Police Department worked with the FBI to determine that at least one of the devices contained a mixture of compounds consistent with explosive firework powder.

A month later, an FBI search of Lee’s residence in Kula uncovered methamphetamine, firearms, ammunition, and IEDs containing flash powder.

Lee admitted to knowingly possessing that explosive powder after as a convicted felon.

U.S. District Judge Jill Otake noted that fireworks pose a danger to both individuals and the general public.

Otake went on to say that Lee’s placing his homemade firework near a wooded area on Kaamana Street placed the surrounding community in danger considering Maui’s susceptibility to wildfires.

“The protection and safety of our community is our highest priority,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We have witnessed the serious harm and life-threatening danger presented by the possession and use of illegal explosives in our local communities, including illegal fireworks. We pledge to aggressively investigate, charge, and convict those who unlawfully construct, possess, or detonate explosives and explosive materials. We credit our steadfast partners at the FBI for their outstanding investigative efforts in this case.”

Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing any explosive shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

“Homemade explosive devices present a significant danger to our island communities,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI—in coordination with our law enforcement partners—is committed to using every tool available to hold criminals accountable when they threaten public safety.”

Following his prison sentence, Otake sentenced Lee to three 3 years of supervised release.

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