Trump-supporting bodybuilder charged over mail bomb spree ‘was caught by single fingerprint’ as cops warn of more devices
Federal agents snared Cesar Sayoc, 56, earlier today in Plantation, Florida before cops searched his van which was covered in stickers supporting Donald Trump.
The New York-born registered Republican is suspected of sending 13 explosives devices to vocal critics of President Trump including Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton and actor Robert De Niro.
In a news conference in Washington, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the terror suspect has been charged with five federal crimes and if convicted could face 58 years in prison.
FBI Director Christopher Wray also spoke to reporters warning the US public to stay vigilant as other packages may still be in transit or in mail facilities around the country.
He added that the bombs were “not hoax devices” while revealing that Sayoc’s fingerprints were found on the package sent to Democratic congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Investigators then found DNA on two other packages which matched a sample taken from the suspect in a prior arrest.
Wray described the bombs as “IEDs”, meaning improvised explosive devices, while adding that at least 13 bombs were sent out across the United States.
The suspect is understood to be a strip club worker with prior arrests for terror related offences who has previously lived in New York.
Following his arrest, officers were seen inspecting a van covered in political slogans including stickers showing Democrats Clinton and Obama – both of who were pipe bomb targets – with crosshairs on their faces.
Former Congress Press Secretary turned political commentator Rochelle Ritchie has claimed she was threatened by Sayoc on Twitter after she appeared on television earlier this month.
Ms Ritchie said she complained to the social network about the strip club worker’s chilling remarks but that no action was taken by microblogging site.
According to his Facebook page, Sayoc is a Trump supporter of Native American heritage who enjoys bodybuilding.
Images believed to be from Facebook have emerged of the terror suspect attending rallies supporting the US President.
New York-born Sayoc is a registered Republican with a lengthy arrest history – including being detained for making a bomb threat, theft and battery, reports the New York Post.
In 2002, he was convicted of a threat to “throw, place, project or discharge any destructive device” in Dade County, Florida, court documents show.
A 2012 Miami bankruptcy petition filed noted that he lived with his mum and “has no furniture,” according to the New York Times.
In one social media post from last year, Sayoc shared a picture of Florida Governor Rick Scott and Trump, writing: “The greatest Governor in Country Fla Rick Scott and great friend of We Unconquered Seminole Tribe. Trump Trump Trump”.
He was arrested by federal cops at an auto parts store in the city of Plantation.
The so called “MAGA bomber” sent devices to a dozen public figures who have been vocal critics of the Trump and his policies.
Two packages were discovered today in the Sunshine State addressed to Democratic Senator Corey Booker and former National Intelligence Director James Clapper.
The investigation into this week’s wave of suspicious packages had focused on southern Florida and a mail sorting facility in the area.
Along with the Clintons and the Obamas, former Vice President Joe Biden and Oscar winning actor De Niro have all been targeted in the wave of mail bombs.
Other targets have included billionaire George Soros, CNN’s New York studios, congresswomen Waters and Debbie Wasserman Shultz, as well as Obama’s former Attorney General Eric Holder.
Addressing the Young Black Leadership Summit, Trump spoke about the arrest of the terror suspect while praising police.
He said: “I am pleased to inform you that law enforcement has apprehended the suspect and taken him into custody. It was an incredible job by law enforcement
“These terrorising acts are despicable and have no place in our country.
“I have instructed authorities to spare no resource or expense in finding those responsible and bring them to swift and certain justice. And we will prosecute them, him… her, whoever it may be to the full extent of the law.
“We must never allow political violence to take root in America and I committed to doing everything in my power as president to stop it and to stop it now.
“The bottom line is that Americans must unify and we must show the world that we are united together in peace and love and harmony as fellow Americans citizens.
“There’s no country like our country and every day we are showing the world how great we are.”
No one had claimed responsibility for parcel bombs which were slammed as terrorism by both Democrats and Republicans.
The attempted bombing campaign comes less than two weeks ahead of US congressional elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington.
This week a series of pipe bombs were posted – none of which went off – in what has become known as the “MAGA bomber” spree.
The devices are made from PVC tubing attached to a digital clock, and were reportedly packed with sulphur as explosives and shards of glass as shrapnel.
They also included a battery as well as wiring to spark the explosion. (The Sun Uk)
