Pipe Bomb Suspect Cesar Sayoc Pleads 'Not Guilty' In New York

Cesar Sayoc pleads not guilty to charges of sending pipe bombs through mail

The man charged with sending more than a dozen bombs to several prominent Democrats pleaded not guilty to all charges against him in New York on Thursday.

Cesar Sayoc Jr. appeared in federal court on Thursday and pleaded 'Not Guilty' to 30 charges. If convicted Sayoc faces up to life in prison. He previously faced five counts that carried a maximum prison sentence of 48 years. 

Judge Jed Rakoff set a trial date of July 15, 2019 for Sayoc. 

The 56-year-old former stripper and pizza delivery driver was an avid supporter of President Donald Trump who lived in a white van decorated with right-wing political images. Sayoc was arrested last month in Florida and charged with interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents, threatening interstate communication and assaulting federal officers. 

He stands accused of sending several pipe bombs to several prominent Democrats and critics of President Trump in the lead-up to the midterm elections. Some of the recipients of the packages included former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder and billionaire investor and Democratic party supporter George Soros. 

None of the devices exploded and no one was injured. 

Trump promised that those responsible for the pipe bomb campaign would face "swift and certain justice" and that "We must never allow political violence to take root in America - cannot let it happen - and I am committed to doing everything in my power to stop it and to stop it now." 

Photo: Getty Images


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