UPDATE: Cesar Sayoc pleads guilty to mailing explosive devices to Trump critics
Last edited Thu Mar 21, 2019, 05:30 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: Washington Post
Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man accused of mailing explosive devices to more than a dozen politicians and media figures who have been critical of President Trump, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court. Sayoc, 57, was arrested and charged in October after a series of possible explosive devices were sent to former president Barack Obama, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the news network CNN, among others. Officials said he sent a total of 16 devices to 13 people across the country.
On Thursday, he appeared in a Manhattan court room and read from a brief written statement in a quiet, raspy voice. Sayoc acknowledging that he created the devices and sent them in the mail. "I knew these actions were wrong. I'm extremely sorry," Sayoc said. He briefly lost his composure at one point while speaking, prompting his attorneys to rub his back. Responding to a question from U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, Sayoc said: "I was aware of the risk that they would explode."
Sayoc's guilty plea had been anticipated since his court docket showed last week that a pretrial conference scheduled for Thursday had been changed to a "plea" hearing. He had previously pleaded not guilty. The string of potentially explosive packages caused panic across the country as they were received or intercepted en route to current and former government officials as well as prominent political donors. The packages were addressed to two former presidents -- Obama and Bill Clinton -- along with sitting United States senators, the actor Robert De Niro and the billionaire activist George Soros, among others. All of the targets had criticized Trump, who had apparently become the focus of Sayoc's intense admiration.
People who knew Sayoc have described his peripatetic existence, saying that he lived for years out of his van while working as a DJ or bouncer at strip clubs. He was charged with a number of crimes over the years, including theft and battery; in one case, he was accused of invoking the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks while threatening the power company.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/cesar-sayoc-expected-to-plead-guilty-to-mailing-explosive-devices-to-trump-critics/2019/03/21/93c1b7c6-4b2d-11e9-b79a-961983b7e0cd_story.html
Original article -
(This story will be updated).
Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man accused of mailing explosive devices to more than a dozen politicians and media figures who have been critical of President Trump, is expected to plead guilty Thursday, according to federal court records.
Sayoc, 57, was arrested and charged in October after a series of possible explosive devices were sent to former president Barack Obama, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the news network CNN, among others. Officials said he sent a total of 16 devices to 13 people across the country.
A court docket shows that a pretrial conference in the case scheduled for Thursday afternoon was changed last week to a "plea" hearing instead. Sayoc had previously pleaded not guilty. He faces a 30-count indictment, including charges of illegally mailing explosives and using explosives to commit a felony. It is unclear what he may plead guilty to on Thursday. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)What WAS the potential sentence without making a deal? I wonder what he's facing now. Ten years?
BumRushDaShow
(128,895 posts)says that he faces a maximum sentence of "life in prison". I suppose the fact that he decided to fess up and "show remorse" (and no one was injured) may mean less than that... But probably not that much less!
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)He's nutso, but he's not legally insane. He looks like a gym freak, so I'm sure he'll enjoy the prison weight-room. He'll adapt quickly and join the Aryan Brotherhood. (Hey, I watched HBO's "Oz"... I've seen what prisons are like.)
Socal31
(2,484 posts)Because of his previous convictions, I wouldn't be surprised if he effectively gets life. The concessions aren't always a reduction in years, but possibly a choice of prison.
flibbitygiblets
(7,220 posts)obamanut2012
(26,068 posts)His mother had moved to FL and he moved in with her, until she kicked his wingnut ass out.
Cold War Spook
(1,279 posts)He should get life without the possibility of parole
PeeJ52
(1,588 posts)The sentencing guidelines for terrorism are just that though, guidelines... We'll get with Judge Ellis and see what he recommends.
cstanleytech
(26,284 posts)SkatmanRoth
(843 posts)It is a world wide problem that can only be solved by getting rid of Trump.
ck4829
(35,068 posts)dlk
(11,560 posts)Sayoc may have said he was sorry but if he is ever released from prison, its very likely he would do as bad or worse next time. He should be denied that opportunity.
allgood33
(1,584 posts)supportes who conducted violence to protesters at his campaigns.
The signal was sent and demonstrated when Joe Arpaio. Break the law on his behalf and you can count on a pardon eventually.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)But I have to acknowledge that it's a possibility.
On Trump's last day in office, unless it features his death, he will go on a pardoning spree the likes of which have never been seen in this country, far more than the Founding Fathers could ever have envisioned.
Karadeniz
(22,511 posts)has absolutely nothing to do with violence arising from his statements.
Aussie105
(5,383 posts)'Me? Inciting people to carry out acts of violence and terrorism?
Really can't see the connection here, must be the Fake Media again. Or the Deep State. Or the Witch Hunt. Or the Ghost of Hillary Past. Poor me!
Who is going to stand up for me?'
Cesar Sayoc smiles and whispers the magic words . . . 'pardon, please, illustrious leader?'
Really, really like to see Trump go and watch his half crazy followers crawl back under the rocks they dared crawl out under from.