Alleged Pipe Bomber Faces Possible Life Sentence in Pre-Election Mail Attacks
Cesar A. Sayoc is facing 30 charges, including five counts of using weapons of mass destruction, for allegedly mailing explosive devices to prominent Democrats and vocal critics of President Donald Trump.
November 09, 2018 at 05:21 PM
3 minute read
Cesar Sayoc, Courtesy photo
The federal prosecutor in Manhattan is bringing 30 charges against the man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent Democratic politicians and vocal critics of President Donald Trump in the days leading up to the midterm elections, including five counts of using a weapon of mass destruction.
According to an indictment unsealed on Friday, Cesar Sayoc is accused of mailing 16 explosive devices from Florida to the Westchester County residences of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and George Soros, a billionaire philanthropist who is often the target of right-wing ire and conspiracy theories.
Investigators say they have linked at least 11 of the devices to Sayoc via DNA samples and latent fingerprints, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. No one was hurt in the alleged attacks.
Prosecutors also allege that Sayoc sent explosive devices to James Clapper, who served as national intelligence director under President Barack Obama, former CIA Director John Brennan and Robert DeNiro.
While they are not named in the indictment, Sayoc is also accused of sending devices to former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joseph Biden, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Kamala Harris, former Attorney General Eric Holder, Thomas Steyer, and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters. He is also accused of sending devices to CNN headquarters on Columbus Circle in Manhattan addressed to Clapper and Brennan.
Sayoc faces a maximum sentence of life in prison on each of the weapon of mass destruction counts; he also faces charges of interstate transportation of an explosive and conveying a threat in interstate commerce, among others.
Sayoc's case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff of the Southern District of New York.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Emil Bove III, Jane Kim and Jason Richman are leading the prosecution.
Sarah Jane Baumgartel of the Federal Defenders of New York is representing Sayoc.
Read more:
Pipe-Bomb Suspect Cesar Sayoc Heading to New York for Trial
'He Threatened to Kill Me and My Family:' Law Prof Contacted by Pipe Bomb Suspect
FBI Investigation Out of NY Leads to South Florida Pipe Bomb Suspect
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