Federal investigators have identified the bomb suspect they claim has been targeting critics of President Donald Trump. His name is Cesar Sayoc, according to sources cited by an NY1 reporter. He’s reportedly 56 years old.
BREAKING: Senior law-enforcement sources have confirmed this suspect is Cesar Sayoc, 56, of Fort Lauderdale, Fl https://t.co/fkEwRcth8J
— Myles Miller (@MylesMill) October 26, 2018
And here’s his mugshot.
Photo of suspect Cesar Sayoc Jr. pic.twitter.com/dvjEApfhAL
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) October 26, 2018
Sayoc is a registered Republican, according to Miami-Dade records obtained by Law&Crime. Investigators were reportedly able to track him down using phone records.
The suspect taken into custody in Florida in connection with the package bombs was tracked through cell phone records
— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) October 26, 2018
The FBI previously announced that suspicious packages containing “potentially destructive devices” were addressed to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, former CIA Director John Brennan (the package was sent to CNN), former Attorney General Eric Holder, left-leaning billionaire philanthropist George Soros, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California, 43rd District), actor Robert De Niro, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey). Waters and Biden were sent two packages, the feds said. Another package sent to CNN was addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. This adds up to a total of 12.
None of these packages exploded or harmed the apparent intended targets.
The president publicly chafed at the notion that he could be blamed for this, but what all recipients have in common is that they have all criticized him. He has railed against them as well. Some figures, like Soros, are boogeymen among certain right-wingers. Fear mongering about the billionaire has been linked to antisemitism.
In any case, federal authorities have yet to offer an alleged motive.
Sayoc’s criminal record dates back some years. Miami-Dade records obtained by Law&Crime show that he was sentenced to a year of probation in 2002. Documents name the charge as “BOMB/THREAT TO THROW.”
He pleaded not guilty in a 2014 petit theft case. Sayoc was ordered to pay court fees, and to stay away from a Walmart location.
A petit larceny and theft case was closed on August 12, 1992. Records indicate the file has been destroyed.
In West Palm Beach, he was adjudicated guilty in a 2015 retail theft case. He attempted to shoplift a briefcase and a “luggage/garment bag” from a Walmart, according to the arrest report obtained by Law&Crime.
Aaron Keller contributed to this article.
Note: This article has been updated with information about Sayoc’s voter registration, and criminal record.
[Image via mugshot]
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