Authorities Make Arrest in Mail Bomb Case
On Friday, October 26, police arrested 56 year-old Cesar Altieri Sayoc in Aventura, Florida for the dissemination of explosive devices to multiple prominent politicians. However, suspicious packages continue to circulate.
CNN reported that an Atlanta post office intercepted a suspicious package en route to CNN’s worldwide headquarters Monday morning at 9:38 AM.
Sayoc is a registered Republican and has a lengthy criminal record in Florida dating back to 1991. His public record includes felony theft, drug and fraud charges, and was previously arrested and accused of threatening to use a bomb.
Sayoc’s vehicle, which was found at at AutoZone in Florida, featured multiple Trump stickers on the exterior. News stations broadcasted images of the vehicle as it was hauled away for further examination by the FBI.
On social media, Sayoc displayed himself as an avid Trump supporter. He controlled many Facebook and Twitter accounts where he posted conspiracy theories, racist memes, and was abusive and threatening those who disagreed with his views. Online, Sayoc posted videos of himself at Trump rallies wearing the president’s signature red cap and was seen holding posters that were affiliated with Trump.
CNN reported that, “DNA, fingerprints and pings from a cell phone tower led authorities to an auto parts store parking lot in south Florida where they arrested a 56-year-old man Friday morning. The arrest brought an end to a four-day nationwide manhunt for the alleged mailer of over a dozen suspected pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump.
A key break in the case for investigators came Thursday, according to a criminal complaint and multiple law enforcement officials, when they traced five packages to the Opa-Locka processing and distribution center outside of Miami.
That break allowed authorities to narrow their search, which — combined with DNA and fingerprint samples left on a package sent to Rep. Maxine Waters and cell phone geolocation information — led to Cesar Sayoc, even as new devices were being found in New York and California.”
According to the Independent, Sayoc faces up to 48 years in prison after being charged with interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of an explosive, threats against former presidents, threatening interstate communications, and assaulting federal officers.
According to CNN, “Sayoc is expected to stand trial on five federal crimes: interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former Presidents and other persons, threatening interstate communications and assaulting current and former federal officers.”
Sayoc appeared in federal district court for the Southern District of Florida for his hearing which did not last very long.
According to CNN, “Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres informed Sayoc of the five federal crimes he’s facing: interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and other persons, threatening interstate communications and assaulting current and former federal officers.”
Sayoc will be removed from Florida to have a pretrial detention hearing in New York on Friday.
Sayoc’s lawyer, Daniel Aaronson stated that his client will be pleading not guilty and is “innocent until proven guilty.”
More on this story as it develops.
