Mail-Bombing Spree Suspect Indicted on 30 Counts
Cesar Sayoc, the person accused of sending pipe bombs to foes of President Trump, has been indicted on 30 federal counts associated with using the U.S. Mail to send weapons of mass destruction, and threatening interstate commerce. The indictment claims Sayoc mailed 16 bombs to various addresses throughout the country, listing in detail five of the bomb mailings to intended recipients Hillary Clinton, John Brennan, Robert DeNiro, James Clapper, and George Soros.
According to the indictment, Sayoc must forfeit all of his assets. The 26 page indictment also lists Sayoc's pseudonyms, including Cesar Randazzo, Cesar Altieri, and Cesar Altieri Randazzo. If convicted, Sayoc faces life in prison.
Sayoc Had Prior Arrest Record
Sayoc had been in a Florida prison, awaiting extradition to New York. But Sayoc is no stranger to Florida's criminal justice system. Sayoc was arrested in Miami-Dad County back in 2002 and served probation on charges related to making bomb threats. Also, in Broward County, he was arrested for grand theft in 1991 and criminal use of personal identification information in 2004.
All 16 Pipe Bombs Appear to Be From Same Person
According to the US Justice Department, "Each of the 16 envelopes allegedly mailed by Sayoc had similar features, including the return addressee 'Debbie Wasserman Shultz' at an address in 'Florids,' six self-adhesive postage stamps bearing the American flag, and address labels printed on white paper with blank ink in similar typeface and font size," the press release states. "Each of the 16 envelopes also contained an IED. The 16 IEDs also had similar features, including approximately six inches of PVC pipe packed with explosive material, a small clock, and wiring. Some of the IEDs also contained shards of glass." Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Democrat representing Florida. It is believed he was trying to pretend the bombs were from Schultz, even though Sayoc misspelled her last name.
Sayoc is being represented by federal Public Defenders in the Southern District of New York. He will be transferred up to New York from Florida by bus, which could take as long as three weeks.
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