Pipe Bomb Suspect Named in 30-Count Indictment in NYC

The U.S. man accused of mailing explosive devices to critics of President Donald Trump has been indicted on charges that could result in a sentence of life in prison upon conviction, VOA News reports. 

The 30-count indictment against Cesar Sayoc was produced Friday in federal court in New York City. Sayoc made his first appearance in that court earlier this week.

Charges against Sayoc, 56, include five counts of use of a weapon of mass destruction, five counts of interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and five counts of issuing threatening interstate communications.

He was also charged with illegal mailing of explosives, use of explosives to commit a felony, and use of a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The charges in New York federal court are linked to the five people targeted with pipe bombs in the New York area: liberal political donor George Soros, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, actor Robert de Niro, former CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Targeted for similar attacks outside New York were former U.S. President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden. None of the mailed explosives detonated.

Sayoc was arrested Oct. 26 in Florida and was charged on a five-count complaint there. He had been living in a van plastered with pro-Trump and anti-Democrat messages.

Sayoc has not yet entered a plea in response to the charges.