Suspect indicted; life in prison possible if guilty

NEW YORK» The Florida man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump was indicted Friday on charges that carry a potential mandatory penalty of life in prison.

The 30-count indictment against Cesar Sayoc was handed up in Manhattan federal court, where Sayoc made an initial appearance earlier this week after he was brought to New York.

Sayoc, 56, was arrested Oct. 26 in Plantation, Fla., on five charges that carry a potential sentence upon conviction of nearly 50 years. If convicted of all charges in the indictment, Sayoc would face a mandatory life prison sentence.

Authorities said he sent improvised explosive devices to numerous Democrats, critics of Trump and CNN. The scare heightened tension before the crucial midterm elections, but he was arrested within days.

Prosecutors followed through on a promise to upgrade the charges with an indictment that led with five counts alleging use of a weapon of mass destruction. The document said he mailed 16 improvised explosive devices through the U.S. mail to victims across the country.

The charges said he aimed to “kill, injure and intimidate an individual and unlawfully to damage and destroy a building, vehicle, and other real and person property.”

None of the devices — some of which arrived at New York addresses — exploded.

A message left with Sayoc’s lawyer was not returned Friday.