UPDATE: We have a name. BREAKING: Senior law enforcement sources identify suspect in suspicious package investigation as Cesar Sayoc Jr., 56, of Aventura, Florida. — Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) October 26, 2018 And a photo. Photo of suspect Cesar Sayoc Jr. pic.twitter.com/dvjEApfhAL — Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) October 26, 2018 Sayoc Jr. was reported to have a criminal history. UPDATE: President Trump will be addressing the nation soon. I will be speaking at the Young Black Leadership Summit in 15 minutes where I will address the investigation into the bomb packages. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018 UPDATE: Authorities were seen covering a van believed to be owned by the suspect. WATCH: FBI agents cover up van near site where mail bombing suspect was taken into custody https://t.co/1KLWpCWSbL pic.twitter.com/wjh4ey1JYp — CBS News (@CBSNews) October 26, 2018 Authorities found the suspect via a cell phone, according to reports. LATEST: Suspect in custody in connection with suspect mail-bomb campaign was tracked through a cell phone; cell phone, laptop and other electronic devices have been recovered. https://t.co/q7OJsPJ4Bl pic.twitter.com/YerSRzdaJo — ABC News (@ABC) October 26, 2018 ORIGINAL POST Forensic evidence has led federal authorities to arrest a man in Plantation, Florida believed to be connected to the string of dangerous deliveries this week. BREAKING: CNN's @evanperez says that Federal authorities have arrested a man in connection with the investigation into the explosives sent to political figures across the country. — Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) October 26, 2018 Twelve suspicious packages were sent to prominent Democratic leaders and celebrities, including two today to former DNI director James Clapper and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). The other 10 were addressed to former President Obama, Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Joe Biden, former CIA director John Brennan, liberal billionaire George Soros, former Attorney General Eric Holder, and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). Thankfully, none of the devices have detonated. The Department of Justice says to standby for a press conference this afternoon. 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 Flores (@whignewtons) October 26, 2018 President Trump has reportedly been briefed on the arrest. He condemned the bomb threats earlier this week at a campaign rally in Wisconsin and from the White House, where he pledged to "bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice.”<doc-sep>A suspect has been arrested by Federal authorities in connection with the investigation into explosive devices and suspicious packages sent to prominent Donald Trump critics across the US, according to the Justice Department. A spokeswoman said that one person was in custody, believed to be a man arrested in the Miami area of Florida. A Justice Department press conference is set for 2.30pm local time. investigators had been focusing on Southern Florida, with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen having confirmed that a number of the packages had been sent from the state. Recommended Follow live as more suspicious packages are sent across America A mail sorting facility in Opa-locka, northwest Florida, was searched on Thursday night by a Miami-Dade police bomb squad. The arrest comes as authorities investigate the latest suspicious packages addressed to Senator Cory Booker and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. They are the 11th and 12th package or explosive device sent to prominent Democrats and critics of the president. The package addressed to the Democratic senator from New Jersey was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida, the FBI said on Twitter. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil.<doc-sep>
Federal authorities arrested a man in Florida on Friday after a number of explosive devices were sent to prominent Democratic politicians and others this week, the Department of Justice said. The suspect was identified at Cesar Sayoc Jr., 56, The New York Times reported. Public records showed a Cesar Sayoc listed with an address in Aventura, Florida, and a past address in Fort Lauderdale, as well as a past address in New Jersey. Sayoc reportedly had a criminal history and prior arrests. The FBI said DNA evidence and fingerprints helped to make the arrest. A photo of a white van towed at the scene where the suspect was apprehended showed a vehicle covered in political stickers, including President Donald Trump decals and a presidential seal. The van was found in Plantation, Florida, west of Fort Lauderdale. At least 11 suspicious devices were sent this week to high-profile politicians and others, including former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Democratic U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. None of the devices detonated, and no one was injured. The FBI and federal authorities immediately launched a national investigation to determine who was responsible, as heated debate began over divisive political rhetoric. Sayoc was charged with multiple federal crimes and could face up to 58 years in prison, authorities said on Friday. Before the suspect's apprehension, authorities said the hunt for the person responsible was focused in Florida, The Wall Street Journal reported. The packages listed the return addresses as that of Wasserman Schultz, a Florida resident. FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed during a press conference on Friday the devices were not hoax devices. Wray said 13 IEDs were sent to various individuals, each including six inches of PVC pipe, a small clock, a battery, wiring and "energetic material," or explosives. "Today's arrest is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and what we can do when we all work together," Wray said. In the wake of the bomb threats, politicians in both parties called for civility even as heated debate emerged over who might be to blame. Former CIA Director John Brennan, one of the targets of the explosive devices, criticized Trump after the president lashed out at the media. "Stop blaming others," Brennan tweeted. "Look in the mirror. Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful. Clean up your act....try to act Presidential. The American people deserve much better. BTW, your critics will not be intimidated into silence." In an event on Wednesday, Brennan also said he believed Trump helped to incite feelings of anger. "Unfortunately, I think Donald Trump too often has helped to incite some of these feelings of anger, if not violence, when he points to acts of violence or also talks about, you know, swinging at somebody from the press or the media," he said. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the situation "absolutely" an act of terrorism during a press conference on Thursday. "It is absolutely terrorism," de Blasio said. "Because it is an effort to use violence to make a political impact, that's the definition of terrorism. The people of New York City are as tough as it gets. New Yorkers refuse to be intimidated." In a statement sent to Newsweek, Aventura Republican Executive Committeeman Kevin Cooper said the actions described do not speak for the party. "The alleged actions of this suspect have no place in our community or in our political discussion," Cooper said. "The Republican Party has always been the party of growth, opportunity and progress, and it is shameful that our politicals have gotten to this level. No one should use fear and intimidation to silence free speech. The actions of one individual do not speak for our party or our community." This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. ​