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Tag: bomb plot
Trump Supporter Admits Sending Pipe Bombs To Democrats

Trump Supporter Admits Sending Pipe Bombs To Democrats

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Cesar Sayoc changed his plea Thursday and admitted to sending 16 mailed pipe bombs to critics of President Donald Trump.

The 57-year-old Florida man, who had a criminal record before the FBI arrested him in connection with the attempted bombings, initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. Last week, though, court documents indicated that he planned to change his plea.

The pipe bombs, none of which detonated, were sent to Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, former CIA director John Brennan via CNN, and other prominent Democrats. His van was seized by federal authorities at the time of his arrest, and it showed he was obsessed with Trump and his critics.

The FBI noted when he was apprehended that though the pipe bombs did not explode, they were not meant to be hoaxes.

He was charged with 30 counts, including criminal mailing of explosives and use of weapons of mass destruction.

Minnesota Teen Denies Charges In Murder, Bomb Plot

Minnesota Teen Denies Charges In Murder, Bomb Plot

By Pam Louwagie, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

WASECA, Minn. — John LaDue, accused in a Columbine-style plot to kill “as many students as he could” at the high school in Waseca, denied charges in a court appearance Monday morning, the equivalent of pleading not guilty.

Prosecutors have charged the 17-year-old as a juvenile with four counts of attempted murder, two counts of first-degree damage to property and six counts of possession of a bomb.

Prosecutors are seeking to certify LaDue as an adult, a process that could take until July as a certification study, including psychological exams, is conducted.

LaDue arrived at the courthouse Monday in shackles and an orange jail suit. He looked at his father sitting in the gallery as he entered, then calmly answered Judge Gerald Wolf’s questions.

LaDue is accused of plotting to kill his family and then go the junior and senior high school with pressure cooker bombs, firearms and ammunition, setting off explosions in the cafeteria, shooting the school liaison officer and killing students.

A 180-page notebook, which dates back to July, outlined his plans.

He was arrested April 29, after a citizen saw him suspiciously enter a storage locker and called police.

If convicted of one count of first-degree attempted murder as an adult, he could serve up to 18 years, according to state guidelines. But if he is convicted as a juvenile, he could be released from detention when he turns 21.

The teenager told police that he had an SKS assault rifle with 400 rounds of ammunition, a 9mm handgun with ammo and a gun safe with more firearms, all in his bedroom at home.

Authorities found seven firearms and three completed bombs there. Another three bombs, along with chemicals and other materials, were found in the storage unit. He also had 60 pounds of metal ball bearings.

His next hearing was scheduled for June 18. It will be a probable cause hearing, where defense attorneys will argue against current charges.

Wolf on Monday ordered LaDue to continue to stay at a juvenile facility in Red Wing for now.

Photo: Construct via Flickr