The Florida man who mailed homemade bombs to leading Democrats and other critics of President Trump broke down in court on Thursday while pleading guilty to charges that may send him to prison for life.
“MAGA bomber” Cesar Sayoc, 57, claimed he never intended for the devices — which he packed with explosive powder from fireworks, fertilizer, pool chemicals and broken glass — to actually blow up and hurt anyone.
None of the crude pipe bombs detonated, but Sayoc admitted in Manhattan federal court that “I was aware of the risk” they would.
“In October 2018, I made devices that were designed to look like bombs and sent them in the US Mail,” he said softly, while reading from a prepared statement.
“I sent 16 devices to people around the country.”
Sayoc also listed his targets as financier George Soros, Hillary Clinton, former CIA Director Jonn Brennan, actor Robert DeNiro, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, ex-President Barack Obama, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), former Attorney General Eric Holder, Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California), hedge-fund billionaire Tom Steyer and CNN.
“I also put pictures of the recipients with a red Xs over their faces inside the package,” the muscle-bound former stripper added.
Near the end of his statement, Sayoc’s voice choked up with emotion as his body shook and he scrunched up his face, apparently holding back tears.
“I am extremely sorry,” he said in a voice barely above a whisper.
He then pleaded guilty to 65 counts of use of a weapon of mass destruction, interstate transportation of an explosive device, conveying a threat through interstate commerce, illegal mailing of an explosive device and carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony.
Sayoc’s plea agreement says both the prosecution and defense agree that sentencing guidelines call for life in prison, plus 120 years, and a fine of up to $500,000.
But the deal lets either side argue for more or less time in the slammer at Sayoc’s scheduled Sept. 12 sentencing.
Sayoc was busted Oct. 26 outside an AutoZone store in Plantation, Fla., following the FBI’s discovery of his fingerprint on the package he sent to Waters.
The arrest came just four days after the first of his bombs was discovered at Soros’ Westchester County estate, and law-enforcement sources have told The Post that Sayoc had a target list with hundreds of more names on it.
At the time, Sayoc was living in a white van with its windows covered with pro-Trump images and messages, and others attacking the president’s critics — including ones that showed red crosshairs over Obama and Clinton.
The dashboard was also covered with baseball caps featuring American flag motifs and Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Comments