Federal authorities have Cesar Sayoc into custody in Florida in connection with the suspicious packages meant for many Democrats.
The DOJ held a press conference at 2:30PM ET.
*This is a breaking story. More updates to come…
*UPDATE: 6:00 PM
The criminal complaint filed against Sayoc here:
Criminal complaint filed against Cesar Sayoc, alleged package bomber by Legal Insurrection on Scribd
*UPDATE 2:30PM
The DOJ is holding a press conference.
From CNN:
“Though we’re still analyzing the devices in our laboratory, these are not hoax devices,” he said.The devices consisted of “roughly six inches of PVC pipe, a small clock, a battery, some wiring and what is known as energetic material, which is essentially potential explosives and material that give off heat and energy through a reaction to heat, shock or friction,” Wray saidHe described the investigation into the suspicious packages as “enormous” in scope and “of the greatest importance.”
*UPDATE 1:22PM
DNA from a package led authorities to Seyoc.
Here is an image of his van, plastered with Trump stickers.
More info:
*UPDATE 12:45PM
Trump made these remarks:
“These terrorizing acts are despicable and have no place in our country,” Trump said.He added: “We must never allow political violence to take root in America. Cannot let it happen. I’m committed to doing everything in my power as President to stop it. To stop it now. Stop it now.””The bottom line is that Americans must unify. We must show the world that we are united together in peace and love and harmony as fellow American citizens. There is no country like our country and every day we are showing the world just how truly great we are,” the President said.
*UPDATE 12:25PM
Facts about Cesar Sayoc from Heavy.com:
He is a registered Republicans and his family helped over the Communist government in the Philippines.
Sayoc received charges of making bomb threats in 2002. He was arrested several times in Broward County since 1991:
In 1991, Sayoc was charged with third-degree grand theft, a felony. He pleaded guilty that same year and was sentenced to two years of probation. In 1994, his mother sought a domestic violence injunction against Sayoc, court records show.Sayoc was arrested on drug charges in 2004. He was accused of possession and sale of steroids, along with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, tampering with evidence, filing fraudulent tax returns, criminal use of personal ID info and possession or unlawful issue of a driver’s license. He pleaded guilty that same year and was sentenced to 18 months of probation.In 2013, Sayoc was charged with battery and third-degree grand theft, a felony. He pleaded guilty in 2014 and was sentenced to probation. In 2009, Sayoc was charged with operating without a valid license, not having insurance and not having a tag light and was fined after pleading guilty to the misdemeanor charges. In 2014, Sayoc was arrested on a petit theft charge and violation of probation. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
*UPDATE 12:10PM
Authorities have identified the man as Cesar Sayoc.
Trump will address the situation at the Young Black Leadership Summit.
*Previous reporting
Some journalists have tweeted out information about the suspect:
President Donald Trump has received a briefing on the arrest.
Authorities have concentrated on searching for the perpetrator in Florida. From Fox News:
Federal authorities had been focusing on Florida as the location where the majority of packages originated.“Some of the packages went through the mail,” Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told Fox News. “They originated, some of them, from Florida. I am confident that this person or people will be brought to justice.”Several of the packages went through a U.S. postal facility in Opa-locka, Florida. The Miami-Dade County Police Department confirmed Thursday it was helping federal agents who were at the facility as part of the ongoing investigation.The USPS operates an innovative imaging system that photographs each piece of mail processed throughout the country. Investigators were likely relying on that system to pinpoint where some of the packages were mailed.The FBI says the packages each consisted of a manila envelope with a bubble-wrap interior containing potentially destructive devices. The packages were addressed with a computer-printed address label and six stamps.
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