Pipe bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc Jr., the man accused of mailing explosive devices to prominent Democrats and former intelligence officials who have been critical of and criticized by President Trump, on Tuesday was ordered to be held without bail by a federal judge.
Sayoc, who was transferred to New York to face federal charges after being held in custody in Florida, was called “a serious risk of danger to the public and a flight risk,” by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim, The Associated Press reported.
{mosads}None of the devices Sayoc mailed exploded and no injuries were reported, but the attempts sparked a national conversation about the nation’s political climate and politicians’ rhetoric about those with whom they disagreed.
Sayoc’s lawyers did not seek his release on bail, according to the AP report.
Sayoc was arrested in South Florida, where he was living in a van covered in Trump campaign stickers and paraphernalia. He was linked to the devices through DNA and fingerprint matches and internet searches on some of the explosives’ targets.
Targets included Bill and Hillary Clinton, former President Obama, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Democratic donor George Soros, former Attorney General Eric Holder, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and others.
All had been vocal critics of Trump’s rhetoric and policy agendas.
“As far as the president’s concerned, and again this is purely a fantasy because he’s already made it clear he’s not going to do this and I’m not suggesting a clear cause and effect relationship … but I do think he bears some responsibility of the coarseness and uncivility in the dialogue in this country and he needs to remember that his words count, his voice is the most important in this country,” Clapper said on CNN after the explosive device sent to him was discovered.
Sayoc will appear in federal court on Monday for a preliminary hearing.