Accused mail bomber faces a judge in Florida as yet another package was intercepted, this one intended for the CNN office in Atlanta. Ray Villeda reports.
What to Know
Cesar Sayoc, the man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of Trump and prominent Democrats, made a court appearance in NY
Sayoc was ordered held without bail
Sayoc was arrested a week ago outside a South Florida auto parts store in a van in which he had been living
The man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump made his first court appearance Tuesday in New York and has been ordered held without bail.
Cesar Sayoc made his first court appearance on Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan following his transfer from Florida. His attorneys had said last week in Miami that it would be better if his lawyers in New York could take the case as soon as possible.
Sayoc has been accused of sending improvised explosive devices to numerous Democrats, Trump critics and media outlets in a scare that heightened tensions before the crucial midterm elections, happening the same day as his court appearance.
None of the devices exploded and no one was injured.
Authorities searched in the Bahamas on Tuesday for a small private plane carrying a high-end New York City event space designer, her two young boys and a pilot from New Hampshire that disappeared the day before.
Prosecutors told a judge that Sayoc presents a flight risk and is a serious danger to the public. The defense did not argue this point.
Sayoc faces nearly 50 years in prison if convicted on five federal charges that were filed in New York because some of the devices were recovered there.
During his court appearance, which lasted about 12 minutes, Sayoc looked at the judge the entire time, answering "yes, sir" to all of the judge's questions.
He also asked for a court-appointed attorney.
Sayoc's next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 11.
Sayoc was arrested a week ago outside a South Florida auto parts store in a van in which he had been living, a vehicle covered with stickers of Trump and showing images of some of the president's opponents with red crosshairs over their faces.
His lawyers decided not to seek release on bail after prosecutors released a letter outlining more evidence against him, including DNA linking him to 10 of the explosive devices and fingerprints on two of them.
Packages addressed to Hillary Clinton, former President Obama, billionaire George Soros, ex-Attorney General Eric Holder, former CIA director John Brennan, Rep. Maxine Waters – who was sent two — Joe Biden and Robert de Niro all appear to have the same characteristics. NBC has team coverage.
Other evidence includes online searches Sayoc did on his laptop and cellphone for addresses and photos of some of his intended targets, which included former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Joe Biden, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Packages were also mailed to CNN in New York and Atlanta.
Prosecutors say the most recent crude bomb was recovered Friday in California, addressed to the liberal activist Tom Steyer.
None of the devices exploded, and no one was injured in the pipe bomb scare.
NBC6
Authorities are examining a mail facility in Florida where a bomb addressed to Sen. Cory Booker was found Friday morning.
NBC6
The van seized by the FBI in Plantation, Florida, on Friday morning.
@RadioGunk / Twitter
The scene at a postal facility on 52nd Street in Manhattan, where device #12, sent to former DNI James Clapper, was found Friday morning.
NBC10
Law enforcement at Sen. Booker's Camden office after a device addressed there was found in Florida.
News 4 New York
The package sent to former DNI James Clapper and recovered in Manhattan Friday morning.
NBC News obtained an X-ray photo of one of the bombs.
One of the devices intercepted by law enforcement officials.
Another device addressed to John Brennan at CNN - Time Warner Center
The envelope that held a device sent to CNN with the addressee's name spelled incorrectly.
Handout
Multiple packages containing explosive devices, similar to the one pictured below, have been located in NY & DC.
Sierra Smith
A crowd outside the Time Warner Center after it was evacuated.
David Banks/Getty Images
Police at the barricade at 58th Street after a suspicious device was found at the Time Warner Center.
NYPD cars outside the Time Warner Center.
58th Street closed off by police at Columbus Circle.
Stephan Kozub
Crowds form at 58th Street and Eighth Avenue in front of Time Warner Center, CNN offices.
A police car outside Hillary Clinton's home in Chappaqua Wednesday morning.
City of Hallandale Beach, AP Images
The Clintons' home in Chappaqua.
Drew Shiller
Police outside the Clinton home in Chappaqua.
Outside former President Obama's home in Washington, D.C., Wednesday morning.
Scott Bair
Outside the home of George Soros, where a suspicious device was found in the mailbox Monday.
Chopper over the Sunrise, Florida, offices of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Wednesday. A package addressed to former NY Attorney General Eric Holder ended up at her offices; she was listed on the return address.
The Sunrise offices of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman.
A large emergency response at Governor Cuomo's Manhattan office on Third Avenue.
Police at Time Warner Center in NYC.
NBC10 Boston
Firefighters respond to actor Robert De Niro's NYC offices after a suspicious device was found there early on Oct. 25, 2018.
News 4 New York
The suspicious package sent to Robert De Niro's NYC offices.
A suspicious package addressed to Robert de Niro is transported to Rodman’s Neck to be assessed.
A suspicious package addressed to Robert de Niro is transported to a secure facility by the NYPD bomb squad.
NBC10
FBI personnel at a mail processing facility in New Castle, DE, where a suspicious package addressed to former VP Joe Biden was found. A second device was found in Wilmington later the same morning.
Suministrada
Law enforcement officials say a package, similar to the others, was found at a postal facility in New Castle, Delaware.
The package found in Delaware was addressed to former vice-president Joe Biden.
Officials respond to a suspicious package addressed to Joe Biden.
NBC10
One of the suspicious packages sent to former VP Joe Biden.
