(CNN) The Florida man accused of sending mail bombs to CNN offices and prominent Democrats pleaded guilty on Thursday in Manhattan federal court to 65 felony counts, including using weapons of mass destruction in an attempted domestic terrorist attack.

Cesar Sayoc, 57, admitted in court to having mailed 16 explosive devices to a variety of officials -- primarily Democrats, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris; and major Democratic donors, including George Soros and Tom Steyer -- and to CNN's offices in October 2018.

None of the devices detonated and no one was injured. After a four-day nationwide hunt , FBI agents found and arrested Sayoc in Plantation, Florida.

A courtroom sketch shows Cesar Sayoc during a hearing in a New York federal court last November.

In addition to 16 counts of the use of weapons of mass destruction, Sayoc pleaded guilty to the interstate transport of explosives, the illegal mailing of explosives with the intent to kill or injure and the carrying of explosives during the commission of a felony, among other crimes.

He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is set to be sentenced on September 12.

Read More</s>The Florida man accused of sending mail bombs to CNN offices and prominent Democrats pleaded guilty on Thursday in Manhattan federal court to 65 felony counts, including using weapons of mass destruction in an attempted domestic terrorist attack.

Cesar Sayoc, 57, admitted in court to having mailed 16 explosive devices to a variety of officials — primarily Democrats, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris; and major Democratic donors, including George Soros and Tom Steyer — and to CNN’s offices in October 2018.

None of the devices detonated and no one was injured. After a four-day nationwide hunt, FBI agents found and arrested Sayoc in Plantation, Florida.

In addition to 16 counts of the use of weapons of mass destruction, Sayoc pleaded guilty to the interstate transport of explosives, the illegal mailing of explosives with the intent to kill or injure and the carrying of explosives during the commission of a felony, among other crimes.

He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is set to be sentenced on September 12.

“I sent all 16 devices with the intent to threaten or intimidate,” Sayoc said in court.

“I know these actions were wrong,” he added, sobbing.

Sayoc initially indicated in court that although he packed the devices with fertilizer and powder from fireworks, he intended them only to look like pipe bombs, not to detonate.

But at prosecutors’ urging, US District Court Judge Jed Rakoff pressed him on whether he intended for them to cause physical harm.

“Did you intend that they would, in fact, explode?” the judge said.

“What would prevent, for example, powder from fireworks from exploding?” the judge asked.

After a moment, Sayoc said, “Sir, I was aware of the risk that it would explode.”

Sayoc was initially indicted on 30 federal charges in November, including several counts of use of a weapon of mass destruction, interstate transportation of explosives and the use and carrying of a destructive device in furtherance of a violent crime.

Those counts carried a minimum penalty of life imprisonment. Sayoc had pleaded not guilty to those charges. He was expected to go to trial in July.

Sayoc, of Aventura, Florida, is a bodybuilder who worked as a dancer for several years and most recently as a pizza delivery driver.

He apparently lived in a white van plastered with stickers and posters that praised President Donald Trump and criticized Democrats and media figures, including some of the people who were targets of the bombs.</s>Cesar Sayoc -- the domestic terrorist who pledged allegiance to President Trump and mailed pipe bombs to former President Obama, CNN and others -- is pleading guilty to a whopping 65 felonies.

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Sayoc's plea Thursday in a Manhattan federal court. The felonies include mailing 16 counts of using a weapon of mass destruction for mailing the improvised explosive devices in the October domestic terrorist attack.

Sayoc also pled guilty to multiple counts of interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives with intent to kill or injure another and carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony.

Punishment for the WMD charges can be up to life in prison. He'll be sentenced in September.

As we reported ... Sayoc was arrested in Plantation, FL after law enforcement swarmed a van covered in pro-Trump stickers. Sayoc set off panic across the nation after a rash of explosive packages arrived at the homes of prominent Democrats ... first at the home of liberal philanthropist George Soros.

Cops also intercepted packages intended for Bill and Hillary Clinton and then the Obamas.

Sayoc -- who has an extensive criminal history -- was a fixture at Trump rallies. He was also a stripper. As we first reported ... he worked for a Chippendales knockoff company.</s>US 'pipe bombs': Cesar Sayoc pleads guilty to using weapons of mass destruction

US 'pipe bombs': Cesar Sayoc pleads guilty to using weapons of mass destruction

Cesar Sayoc has pleaded guilty to posting "pipe bombs" to Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump

The 57-year-old entered his plea in Manhattan, speaking in a shaky voice that at times fell into a whisper.

He admitted to sending 16 devices "designed to look like pipe bombs" consisting of a plastic pipe filled with powder from fireworks and fertiliser, a digital clock and wires.

At one point, Sayoc began to cry. He said: "I know that these actions were wrong and I am extremely sorry."

He said it was not his intention for the devices to explode, kill or injure people - but acknowledged he knew there was a risk they could explode.

Sayoc, who had been working as a part-time pizza deliveryman, grocery worker and is a former stripper, faced charges of using weapons of mass destruction, mailing explosives with an intent to kill or injure people or property, and conveying threats through interstate commerce.

He was charged after his fingerprint was found on one of the devices.

Thirteen explosive devices were sent to several high-profile figures, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Robert De Niro.

All of the devices were intercepted before reaching their intended targets and none exploded.

Sayoc faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on 12 September.</s>March 21 (UPI) -- Cesar Sayoc pleaded guilty Thursday to sending more than a dozen pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and news outlets last year.

Sayoc, the 57-year-old Florida man, pleaded guilty to to 65 felony counts, including using weapons of mass destruction in an attempted domestic terrorist attack, for sending 16 explosive devices to people including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as CNN's offices in October.

"I sent all 16 devices with the intent to threaten or intimidate," Sayoc told the court. "I know these actions were wrong."

He initially pleaded not guilty to 30 charges that included interstate transport of explosives and mailing explosives, before entering the guilty plea on Thursday.

Sayoc faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and is set to be sentenced on September 12.

"Cesar Sayoc has admitted to acts of domestic terrorism that are repulsive to all Americans who cherish a society built on respectful and non-violent political discourse, no matter how strongly held one's views," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said, according to NBC News. "Our democracy will simply not survive if our political discourse includes sending bombs to those we disagree with."

Sayoc told the court he intended for the devices to look like pipe bombs, but not to detonate, despite packing them with fertilizer and powder from fireworks.

When pressed by U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff however, Sayoc didn't state how he would prevent them from exploding.

"Sir, I was aware of the risk that it would explode," Sayoc stated.</s>The Florida man accused of sending mail bombs to CNN offices and prominent Democrats pleaded guilty Thursday in a New York federal court.

Cesar Sayoc pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including using weapons of mass destruction.

He was initially indicted on federal charges in November after more than a dozen mail bombs were sent to CNN, former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other Democratic politicians like Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker. None of the devices detonated, and no one was injured.

CNN’s New York bureau was evacuated in October after the discovery of a package with an explosive device addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, officials said.

Sayoc had been facing 30 charges, including five counts of use of a weapon of mass destruction and five counts of interstate transportation and receipt of explosives.

Sayoc was initially expected to appear in court for a pretrial hearing, but it was changed to a plea hearing last week, prosecutors said. The trial was expected to begin in July.

His attorney had entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf in November.

After a four-day nationwide hunt, FBI agents found and arrested Sayoc in Plantation, Florida.

Sayoc, of Aventura, Florida, is a bodybuilder who worked as a dancer for several years and most recently as a pizza delivery driver.

He apparently lived in a white van plastered with stickers and posters that praised President Donald Trump and criticized Democrats and media figures, including some of the people who were targets of the bombs.</s>A Florida man suspected of sending more than a dozen pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump last year pleaded guilty on Thursday.

Cesar Sayoc entered the plea Thursday before a federal judge in Manhattan. He had previously pleaded not guilty.

“I know that these actions were wrong and I'm sorry" Sayoc said through tears.

Sayoc, 57, faces the possibility of a life sentence on 65 criminal counts, including using weapons of mass destruction and illegal mailing of explosives with intent to kill, according to the AP.

Sayoc was arrested on Oct. 26. He was charged in what prosecutors have called the “alleged execution of a domestic terrorist attack” that involved mailing 16 improvised explosive devices to 13 victims throughout the country.

None of the bombs detonated and no one was injured.

Sayoc was accused of sending or addressing the devices to a series of high-profile Democrats, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actor Robert De Niro and philanthropist George Soros, as well as to the CNN headquarters in New York.

When he was arrested in Florida, Sayoc was living out of a white van plastered with stickers praising Trump and attacking the media.

Court records last week indicated that Sayoc was expected to plead guilty.

William F. Sweeney Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York office, said in a statement in November that "Cesar Sayoc deliberately targeted 13 individuals with 16 improvised explosive devices, attempting to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation from California to the eastern seaboard."</s>Sayoc appeared in a courtroom before a US federal judge in Manhattan where he pleaded guilty, NBC News New York reported on Thursday evening.

The 57-year-old Floridian pleaded guilty to 30 charges, including using weapons of mass destruction, interstate mailing of explosives and use of destructive devices during crimes of violence.

READ MORE: US Mail Bombing Suspect Charged in 30-Count Indictment — Justice Department

The authorities initially charged Sayoc with five counts of criminal wrongdoing.

Sayoc is accused of sending packages containing explosive devices to numerous Democratic officials, including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Congresswomen Deborah Wasserman Schultz and Maxine Walters, as well as to the corporate media outlet CNN.</s>NEW YORK (AP) — A Florida man pleaded guilty Thursday to sending a wave of pipe bombs to CNN and prominent critics of President Donald Trump, attacks that harmed no one but created fear as the devices turned up, day after day, at locations across the country.

Cesar Sayoc sobbed as he entered the plea before a federal judge in New York.

“I’m truly sorry,” he said.

He faces the possibility of a life sentence on 65 criminal counts, including using weapons of mass destruction and illegal mailing of explosives with intent to kill.

Sayoc had been scheduled to go on trial this summer on charges that he mailed rudimentary bombs to 16 targets, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, several members of congress, former President Barack Obama and the actor Robert De Niro.

Devices were also mailed to CNN offices in New York and Atlanta.

He has been held without bail since his late-October arrest at a South Florida auto parts store. At the time, he had been living in a van covered with Trump stickers and images of Trump opponents with crosshairs over their faces.

The bombs began turning up weeks before the hotly contested midterm elections, contributing to an already tense political environment.

The hunt for the bomber began Oct. 22 when a device was discovered in a mailbox at an estate in New York City’s northern suburbs owned by the billionaire George Soros, a liberal political activist and frequent subject of conspiracy theories.

A device addressed to the Clintons was discovered the following day, followed a day later by a slew of homemade pipe bombs found at the homes or offices of prominent Democrats. One, addressed to former CIA director John Brennan, was sent to CNN in New York.

Over several days, investigators tracked the packages to a mailing center in Florida.

Prosecutors said the evidence against Sayoc includes DNA linking him to 10 of the explosive devices and fingerprints on two of them.

Without a plea deal, Sayoc faced charges carrying a potential penalty of mandatory life in prison.

Others targeted by the mailings included former Vice President Joe Biden, California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.
Cesar Sayoc pleads guilty to 65 felony counts, including using weapons of mass destruction, in last year's attempted mail bomb domestic terrorist attacks.