FOLLOW US

Authorities arrested and charged a suspect in Florida in connection with the mail bombs sent to prominent personalities.

The suspect identified as Cesar Sayoc, 56-year-old and a supporter of President Donald Trump, has a lengthy criminal record dating back to the early 1990s. His criminal offenses included threatening to blow-up a Florida utility company, stealing copper pipes from a Florida Home Depot, threatening to discharge destructive device, and stealing copper pipes at a Florida Home Depot.

During a press conference on Friday, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Sayoc is facing five criminal charges including:

1. Interstate transportation of an explosive,
2. Illegal mailing of explosives,
3. Threats against former Presidents and certain other persons,
4. Threatening interstate communications, and
5. Assaulting federal offices

If convicted, Sayoc could get a prison sentence of up to 48 years. The charges against him may change or expand as the investigation continues, according to Sessions.

Trump administration will not allow political violence in America

“This is a law-and-order administration. We will not tolerate such lawlessness especially not political violence,” said Sessions.

Additionally, Sessions said, “Let this be a lesson to anyone. Regardless of their political beliefs, we will bring the full force of the law against anyone who attempt to use threats, intimidation, and outright violence to further an objective. We will find you. We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.

On the other hand, FBI Director Christopher Wray said their investigation is ongoing, enormous, and nationwide in scope. He emphasized that the mail bombs sent to public figures across the country are “not hoax devices.”

He said the FBI found a latent fingerprint on one of the envelopes containing an explosive device sent to Rep. Maxine Waters. The agency confirmed that the fingerprint belonged to Sayoc. The agency also found the suspect’s DNA on at least one of the packages containing explosive devices.

Meanwhile, Trump praised the law enforcement during his remarks at the White House this afternoon. He condemned suspect’s “terrorizing acts” as “despicable” and “have no place in our country.”

In addition, the president said he ordered authorities to “find those responsible and bring them to swift and certain justice. We will prosecute them…to the fullest extent of the law.

“We must never allow political violence to take root in America. We cannot let that happen. I’m committed to doing in my power as president to stop it,” said Trump.

Authorities intercepted 13 mail bombs

The arrest came on Friday as authorities responded to three additional mail bombs addressed Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker, and former Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr.

On Thursday, authorities intercepted three mail bombs—two were addressed to former Vice President Joe Biden and one for actor Robert De Niro.

Earlier this week, law enforcement discovered a mysterious package with explosive device in the mailbox of billionaire philanthropist George Soros. In the following days, similar mail bombs were sent to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, former CIA Director John Brennan, Rep. Maxine Waters, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Law enforcement already intercepted a total of 13 mail bombs across the country. The explosive devices were sent to Democrats and public figures who are vocal critics of Trump.