Federal authorities arrested Cesar Altieri Sayoc Jr. on Friday in connection with the 13 mail bombs sent to high-profile Democrats and other individuals, FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Friday. Sayoc has been charged with five federal crimes and faces up to 58 years in prison, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said during a news conference. On Friday, officials said two additional packages were found — one recovered in Florida that was addressed to Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and one in a Manhattan post office addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Since Tuesday, devices have been intercepted addressed to Clinton, Obama, Biden, billionaire George Soros, the actor Robert De Niro, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, former Attorney General Eric Holder and former CIA director John Brennan. Here’s what to know about the suspect behind the mailed package bombs. Cesar Sayoc is a 56-year-old man who was detained Friday in Plantation, Florida Records for Sayoc show he is associated with an address in Aventura, Florida, and is registered as a Republican in Florida. According to Florida criminal records, Sayoc was born in New York. A white van towed away from the scene was covered in pro-Trump imagery Authorities are seen in Plantation, Florida taking a man into custody in connection to the mailed package bombs. Photo Courtesy WPLG The van was covered in stickers that show President Donald Trump and the presidential seal, among other pictures. Authorities have not said whether the van is connected with Sayoc. Sayoc was previously arrested for making a bomb threat Sayoc was arrested in 2002 in Miami for making a bomb threat. Records say he threatened to “throw, place, project or discharge” a destructive device. Criminal records show Sayoc was arrested on multiple other occasions for fraud, tampering with evidence, drug possession and unlawful use of a driver’s license. Seminole Tribe says Sayoc was not associated with them A Twitter account that matched Sayoc’s name made frequent references to the Seminole Tribe and appeared to discuss having Native heritage. The account’s bio says the owner works at the Seminole Hard Rock Live. However, the Seminole Tribe said Friday that Sayoc was not involved with the tribe. “We can find no evidence that Cesar Altieri, Caesar Altieri, Caesar Altieri Sayoc, Ceasar Altieri Randazzo (Facebook) or Julus Cesar Milan (Twitter) is or was a member or employee of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, or is or was an employee of Seminole Gaming or Hard Rock International,” Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the tribe, said in a statement. He added the tribe had not yet verified whether Sayoc worked for any of the tribe’s vendors. “At this time, we cannot verify if he is or was an employee of a vendor company.” Social media appears filled with right-wing conspiracies The Twitter account linked to Sayoc’s name also frequently tweeted right-wing conspiracy theories and posted memes attacking George Soros, liberals and Trump’s opponents. Some posts also made reference to the upcoming midterm elections, saying things like “Red Wave 2018” and showing images that encouraged followers to “Vote Republican.” What was the motive for sending the mail bombs? Federal officials declined to discuss Sayoc’s motive on Friday, saying that the investigation was still ongoing. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he did not know why the suspected bomber was targeting Democrats. “He appears to be a partisan,” Sessions aid. Wray added that while the FBI believes it found “the right guy,” the agency does not know if there were more people sending mail bombs if there are more bombs that have not yet been discovered. Get The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. Please enter a valid email address. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Please attempt to sign up again. Sign Up Now An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Please try again later. Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thank you! For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. Write to Mahita Gajanan at mahita.gajanan@time.com and Abigail Abrams at abigail.abrams@time.com.<doc-sep>Here are five things you should know about Sayoc, who resides in Aventura, Fla. The feds swooped in Friday afternoon and arrested Cesar Sayoc, 56, in south Florida in connection with the mail bombs that were sent to a number of leading Democrats and CNN in recent days. 1. Prior arrests — Sayoc has a lengthy criminal record that includes convictions for theft, stolen property and traffic charges and, in 2002, threatening to ‘‘throw, place, project or discharge any destructive device,” the Associated Press reported. Sayoc was sentenced to probation in August 2002 for threatening to throw a bomb during a conversation with a Florida utility representative, the AP reported. Advertisement Court records also show that Sayoc was convicted in the 1990s in Broward County, Florida, on grand theft and stolen property charges and in 2004 on a felony charge of fraudulent refunds and misdemeanor of tampering with physical evidence, according to the wire service. He was also arrested in 1994 in a domestic assault case involving his grandmother, but charges in that matter were dropped, the Daily Mail reported. 2. How investigators nabbed him — CNN reported that DNA found on at least one of the packages, which contained potentially destructive devices, helped investigators identify Sayoc as the suspect. The packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap and had a return address of “DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ,” [sic] referring to the Florida congresswoman and former DNC chair, CNN reported. 3) Possible political leanings — Sayoc is a registered Republican, and the van that investigators seized at the time of his arrest had pro-Trump stickers on it, though it wasn’t immediately clear whether the vehicle belonged to Sayoc, the New York Times reported. In addition, a number of press outlets attributed social media accounts to Sayoc that were rife with posts ripping Democrats, as well as photos of Sayoc wearing a hat bearing President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan. Advertisement 4) Entertainment industry ties, and heritage — A Twitter feed attributed to Sayoc describes Sayoc as a live event promoter and former “Professional Soccer Player, Wrestler, Cage Fighter.” Sayoc also appears to identify himself as a member of the Seminole tribe, the New York Daily News reported. In one August 2016 Facebook message, Sayoc wrote that “We 5.4 Million American Indian . . . are ready for President Trump Trump Trump Trump Trump Trump Trump.” A spokesman for the Seminole tribe said in an e-mailed statement that the tribe could find no evidence that Sayoc was a member. 5) Money problems, and condemnation from the president — Sayoc declared bankruptcy in 2012, according to a court filing that said he lived with his mother at that time, the Washington Post reported. On Friday, President Trump decried the mail bombs as “terrorizing acts” and said whoever was responsible would be prosecuted to “the fullest extent of the law,” the Post reported. The paper quoted Trump as saying, “We must never allow political violence to take root in America and I’m committed to doing everything in my power as president to stop it and stop it now.” Globe Correspondent Mark Gartsbeyn contributed to this report. Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.<doc-sep>Cesar Sayoc, named as the suspect who is under arrest in the series of suspicious packages that were sent to former presidents and top Democratic officials, was a registered Republican who drove a van covered with pro Donald Trump and Republican stickers. “This is a law and order administration. We will not tolerate such lawlessness,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a news conference. President Trump condemned the attack as “despicable.” Sessions added of Cesar Sayoc’s motivation: “He appears to be a partisan.” The FBI director said the devices were not hoaxes, and authorities said DNA and fingerprint evidence tie Sayoc to the packages. On social media, Sayoc was an active Trump and Republican supporter. Sayoc had a Twitter page where he constantly posted comments and memes against Democrats and in favor of the GOP. On Facebook, he posted photos from Trump rallies and wearing a Make America Great Again hat. CNN reported that Sayoc lived in the white van that had Republican stickers plastered along its side. Photos of suspicious device suspect Cesar Sayoc taken from his Facebook page. He has a criminal record. Much more info coming from @DOJPH at 2:30pm (credit: Cesar Altieri Randazzo) pic.twitter.com/8QKS3i0HH1 — Jessica Layton (@JLaytonTV) October 26, 2018 Hard to believe Cesar Sayoc’s Facebook profile is still active… pic.twitter.com/d8qxOdHAgG — Larry B. (@larryagape) October 26, 2018 One photo appears to show him at the presidential inauguration. On Twitter, he wrote this of Trump, “Happy Birthday greatest Commander Chief disruptor shake Washington upside down.we Unconquered Seminole Tribe current serving, Seminole Vets, Son Seminole Code Talkers. Thank you for all you do against everyone and not be stopped ever.Straight ahead get it done awesome build Wall.” In a similar rambling post, he changed the wording slightly, writing, “Happy Birthday the. Greatest results disruptor n Chief President ever Trump Trump Trump.We Unconquered Seminole,Miccouskee Tribes,Seminole Hard Rock Worldwide millions of our customers,Seminole American Top Team,Warrior Boxing, say thank you and appreciation.” He posted a video that appeared to be from a Trump rally, shouting “Trump, Trump, Trump.” In another example, Sayoc wrote in one rambling tweet, “Go Republicans Red Wave Tsunami coming.We Unconquered Seminole Tribe,Hard Rock,Vets,Current,millions of our customers,Seminole American Top Team MMA,Say absolutely no way http://Dem.Progressive liberal left Hightaxes and Crime.Gillum can’t handle his own city Leon County Tal. Fl.” This is the top post on his Twitter page: On Facebook, where his page is now deleted, he also posted political pro Trump and pro Republican photos. Facebook photos dating back to 2016 of package bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc pic.twitter.com/PnaDGOcblR — Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) October 26, 2018 As you might have guessed, Cesar Sayoc's Facebook profile is basically just pictures and videos of him at Trump rallies. pic.twitter.com/eyeFiCD191 — Spooky Morris ? (@IamShaneMorris) October 26, 2018 On Twitter, Sayoc urged people to vote Republican and advocated for a red wave. He posted photos of Donald Trump on Twitter too. Read more of his social media posts here. He made his politics blatantly clear on Twitter: The U.S. Justice Department has confirmed there was an arrest and has now named him. Earlier, Pix11 News reporter Myles Miller wrote on Twitter, “BREAKING: Senior law-enforcement sources have confirmed this suspect is Cesar Sayoc, 56, of Fort Lauderdale, Fl.” Other news outlets have also confirmed that the suspect is Cesar A. Sayoc. Male dancer Justin Humberger, who says the mail bomb suspect was his "road manager," has sent my @VOANews colleague @TopStoryTime copies of some text messages he recently exchanged with Cesar Sayoc. pic.twitter.com/wG7Hlj2c6s — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) October 26, 2018 The male suspect was arrested at a business in Plantation, Florida, according to multiple media reports. When he was arrested, people immediately wondered: Is he a Republican or Democrat? There were twin theories that emerged after the packages were sent: Some people called him #magabomber because the packages were sent to critics of President Donald Trump. Others alleged it was a false flag attack by a liberal designed to blame Trump. However, it’s now clear that he supported Republicans and Trump, according to his van stickers and multiple posts on social media. Report from TVJ in Miami and MSNBC confirming van taken into custody was covered with Trump stickers and other "right wing paraphernalia" pic.twitter.com/fwFi7vAw9B — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 26, 2018 The sticker and decal-laden van was towed away from an Auto Zone as part of the investigation. CNN reports he was a customer at the business. “The van is covered with President Trump pictures and stickers,” reported Dan Krauth, of NBC. Matt Drudge, who is conservative, called the van “SUSPECT’S TRUMPMOBILE…” on Twitter. CNN also reported that the van is covered with Republican oriented stickers. Daily Caller, a conservative site, reported that the suspect “appears to own a white van covered in Trump- and Republican-Party-themed stickers and decals.” CBS News reported that a picture was taken at an earlier date that appeared to show the same van with stickers. CNN also showed images of the van being towed from the scene that reveal it is still littered with Trump and GOP stickers. One sticker read, “CNN sucks.” Cesar Sayoc Is a Registered Republican MORE: Image taken at earlier date shows white van covered in decals of Pres. Trump, targets over the likenesses of Hillary Clinton, former Pres. Obama, filmmaker Michael Moore; it's believed to be same van at scene of suspect's arrest in Plantation, Fla. https://t.co/gsq71KV0gB pic.twitter.com/ysuk205JtT — CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 26, 2018 Florida voter records show that the suspect was registered to vote in that state – as a Republican. Florida voter records say the following: Full Name: CESAR A SAYOC City: AVENTURA County Name: MIAMI-DADE Date Of Registration: 3/4/2016 Party: Republican Party of Florida Voter Status: Active* In a news conference, federal authorities revealed that they believe Sayoc is the bomber. Here’s the complaint: READ NOW: DOJ criminal complaint against Cesar Altieri Sayoc. https://t.co/RHmlnylPgF pic.twitter.com/lcm3M7rVR4 — Andrew Peng (@TheAPJournalist) October 26, 2018 Sayoc is now accused of multiple federal crimes. Sayoc Was Active on Social Media, Trashing Democrats and Praising Republicans on Twitter In posts on Twitter, Cesar Sayoc expressed support for numerous conservative positions. He weighed in on multiple news events. He trashed Stormy Daniels, the porn star who says she had an affair with President Donald Trump and criticized David Hogg, the Parkland, Florida high school student gun control activist. He wrote with a meme urging an NFL boycott, “Who cares barred , Banned ,Boycotted 4 life. Your sport weak more padding than armor fighter go cry about everything.” He showed a fixation with George Soros. He posted about draining the swamp. He trashed Chuck Schumer, Maxine Waters, and Elizabeth Warren. Sayoc expressed anger toward members of the news media. Sayoc has a lengthy criminal history in Florida including a past accusation of “threat to bomb,” CNN reported. Battery, fraud, drug possession are among his multiple Florida arrests. He threatened actor George Clooney in one Twitter post, writing, “It a big celebration Georg Clooney crashes and should have died. We almost had a super celebration prays answer Hollywood slime of century died. His time coming awesome .” On LinkedIn, Cesar Sayoc identified himself as “Promoter, booking agent Live entertainment, owner, choreographer.” He wrote that he was a veterinary medicine graduate, saying: Career decision of becoming a Horse Doctor was always a love for animals, which were here first and never do anything to anyone. And respect all living things. My family very sound Sayoc name in Medical field Grandfather Col. Baltazar Zook Sayoc that perfect the conversion oriental eye to Americanize. The first plastic surgeon to be observed by 8 million people in NY city Hospital. He over through Communist Philippines liberated island. He built all hospitals in Philippines islands and sets standards highest level. Most surgeon use his instruments which are patented. And a lot surgeon use today. Also Sayoc intl. schools marshals arts Kali that used to over throw communist party .<doc-sep>
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) – The Florida man arrested Friday morning in connection with the series of suspected explosive devices sent to notable Democrats around the country has been identified as Cesar Sayoc. The Department of Justice confirmed his arrest at around 11 a.m. Sayoc is a 56-year-old man in who was taken into custody in South Florida. He has ties to New York and Florida court documents list his place of birth as Brooklyn. Sayoc has a lengthy criminal history that dates back to 1991. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Sayoc has been arrested for both grand larceny and petty larceny in the early 90s. In 2002, he was arrested on a felony charge listed as “Threat to Bomb.” Court documents say Sayoc pleaded guilty to threatening to discharge a destructive device however, the arrest record does not detail who Sayoc’s target was. In 2004, the 56-year-old was arrested on multiple charges including fraud and drug possession. Five years ago, Sayoc was again charged with larceny and has reportedly violated his probation at least twice since then. MORE: How To Spot A Suspicious Package A law enforcement source told CBS News that DNA evidence on one of the 14 devices sent out played a part in leading investigators to the Florida resident. FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that a fingerprint on one of the packages, allegedly sent to congresswoman Maxine Waters, belonged to Sayoc. A van linked to Sayoc, which is being combed over by investigators, appeared to have several images of President Trump on it. It also reportedly featured several anti-Democrat images, including some of the same Democrats who were sent suspicious packages this week. It was taken to the FBI’s field office in Mirimar, according to the bureau. Sayoc, 56, is an amateur bodybuilder and former male stripper, a loner with a long arrest record who showed little interest in politics until Donald Trump came along. Florida voter records show he first registered in March 2016 as a Republican and cast a ballot in that November’s heated presidential election. Sayoc’s social media accounts are peppered with memes supporting Trump, denigrating Democrats, and promoting conspiracy theories about George Soros, the billionaire political donor who was the first targeted this week by a package bomb. Sayoc has also tweeted and posted on Facebook videos that appear to show him at Trump rallies. WATCH: Social media video shows mail bombing suspect Cesar Sayoc attending pro-Trump rally in Oct. 2016 https://t.co/QOC2JDvOIU pic.twitter.com/GsCKtEjYKD — CBS News (@CBSNews) October 26, 2018 Ronald Scott Lowy, an attorney who says he’s represented Sayoc in previous cases, told reporters that his former client has “always had problems dealing with life.” “His mind doesn’t seem to operate like most peoples’,” Lowy said. “It shows in his anger, his emotion and his behavior.” Lowy said Sayoc displayed no political leanings at the time except for plastering a vehicle he owned with Native American signs. Lowy said Sayoc told him his father was Native American. More recently, Sayoc described himself on social media as being affiliated with the Seminole Warriors boxing club. However, his cousin said Sayoc’s mother was Italian and his biological father was Filipino, and his parents separated when he was a young boy. Lenny Altieri said the only connection to Native Americans was that Sayoc a decade and a half ago had dated a woman in Minnesota who was a member of a tribe. “That might be the only connection I can think of,” Altieri said. Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, said there is no evidence to show that Sayoc worked for the tribe or was a tribal member. After his parents separated, Sayoc was “kind of rejected” by his family, Altieri said. “When you get no love as a young kid, you get kind of out of whack,” he said. Sayoc was swarmed by dozens of heavily armed law enforcement officers on Friday morning in the parking lot of an AutoZone store. Authorities said he’s been charged with five federal crimes including threatening a former U.S. president, and is facing up to 48 years in prison if convicted. He’s expected to appear in Florida federal court on Monday. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)