Parcel bomb suspect charged with five federal crimes, in FBI custody

Cesar Sayoc, the suspect in a raft of suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats and others, is in the custody of the FBI.

By REUTERS
Cesar Altieri Sayoc is pictured in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. in this August 2015 handout booking photo obtained by Reuters October 26, 2018. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Cesar Altieri Sayoc is pictured in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. in this August 2015 handout booking photo obtained by Reuters October 26, 2018.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said on Friday that Cesar Sayoc, the suspect in a raft of suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats and others, is in the custody of the FBI and has been charged with five federal crimes.
Sayoc faces up to 58 years in prison if found guilty, Sessions said at a press conference announcing the charges.
"We will not tolerate such lawlessness, especially political violence," he said.
Federal authorities arrested Sayoc on Friday in connection with a dozen parcel bombs sent to Democratic politicians and high-profile critics of US President Donald Trump.
He was taken into custody in the Miami area. The investigation into this week's wave of suspicious packages had focused on southern Florida and a mail sorting facility in the area.
The parcel bombs were denounced by authorities as terrorism, and came less than two weeks ahead of US congressional elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington.