Bombmaking bros get day in court
A FORMER TEACHER and his twin brother charged with building bombs in their Bronx home — with teenagers helping them — pleaded not guilty on Thursday.
Christian and Tyler Toro (inset, left to right), both 27, were indicted March 15 on conspiracy, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, and unlawful possession of a destructive device counts in Manhattan Federal Court.
Prosecutors also charged Christian Toro with one count of distribution of explosive materials to a minor.
The Toros, who were restrained with ankle chains during their brief appearance in Judge Richard Berman’s courtroom, did not speak during the plea proceeding.
The feds have claimed they uncovered more than 30 pounds of bombmaking materials in the Toros’ Pelham Parkway apartment as well as a note implying plans to murder children. The chilling missive read “Under the full moon the small ones will know terror,” officials said.
Christian, who taught special education at Democracy Prep Harlem High School, and his twin also paid Democracy Prep students $50 an hour to take fireworks apart — and remove the explosive materials, officials have alleged.
Their lawyers declined to comment Thursday.