Update at 3:37 p.m. EST:
Cesar Sayoc Jr., the South Florida man arrested in connection with the explosive devices sent to a string of President Donald Trump naysayers, has been labeled the MAGA bomber.
According to The New York Times, Sayoc has a criminal history that dates back to 1991, which includes drug and fraud charges and felony theft. The registered Republican, who was born in New York, was arrested in 2002 in Miami for making a bomb threat.
A Twitter account believed to belong to Sayoc was littered with memes that attacked Trump opponents, liberals and promoted right-wing agendas. The suspect is also seen in a video at a Make America Great Again rally wearing the controversial hat and rooting for Trump.
https://twitter.com/hardrock2016/status/1004592444321779713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1004592444321779713&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Ftime.com%2F5436058%2Fpackage-bombs-suspect-cesar-sayoc%2F
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Sayoc has been charged with five federal crimes, including interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and certain other persons, threatening interstate communications and assault against federal officers, during a news conference. He faces up to 58 years in prison.
Reporter: "Why was he (#MAGABomber) targeting Democrats?"
Jeff Sessions: ………. (loooong pause) 'I don't know other…than what you might suspect." 🔥🔥🔥#FridayFeelingpic.twitter.com/UZSz2Ig8sH
— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) October 26, 2018
Update at 11:51 a.m. EST:
MSNBC News has identified 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc Jr. as the suspect in sending suspicious packages.
—
A Florida man was arrested in connection with the explosive devices that were sent to prominent Democrats this week, The Department of Justice confirmed with CNN.
“We can confirm one person is in custody,” DOJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores tweeted on Friday.
We can confirm one person is in custody. We will hold a press conference at the Department of Justice at 2:30pm ET.
— Sarah Isgur (@whignewtons) October 26, 2018
The news comes hours are two packages, one in Florida and one in New York City, were discovered addressed to Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
Authorities were able to find the suspect through cell phone records, according to ABC News.
The suspect taken into custody in Florida in connection with the package bombs was tracked through cell phone records
— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) October 26, 2018
CNN reports that the suspect is in his 50s and “has ties to New York,” while MSNBC says that the suspect’s van is filled with pictures of President Donald Trump, “right-wing paraphernalia,” and the presidential seal.
A closer look at the stickers that are on the van at the scene in Plantation, Florida. pic.twitter.com/Qml9tmEKMy
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 26, 2018
Suspicious packages with pipe bombs inside were mailed to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Joe Biden, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), former CIA Director John Brennan, former Attorney General Eric Holder and actor Robert De Niro, all who have been vocal critics of President Donald Trump.
