Cesar Sayoc is accused of sending mail bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of President Donald Trump (HO)

Miami (AFP) – The man accused of sending mail bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of President Donald Trump appeared Monday in Miami federal court, which is taking up his extradition to New York.

Cesar Sayoc, 56, appeared before US District Judge Edwin Torres after his arrest Friday in connection with the mailing of at least 15 manila envelopes containing homemade bombs, none of which exploded. 

With a messy ponytail and dressed in beige prison drabs, Sayoc spoke little during the brief hearing. He did mutter an “I love you” to someone in the cramped room.

The judge set another hearing for Friday, to determine whether he grants parole and evaluate Sayoc’s possible transfer to New York.

Defense attorney Daniel Aaronson asked that his client’s presumption of innocence be respected. Sayoc invoked his right to remain silent. 

“He’s innocent until proven guilty… and nobody has been able to, in a court of law, say that those are bombs that he sent,” Aaronson said.

Authorities intercepted a fifteenth suspicious package earlier at a post office in Atlanta, the third that was aimed at CNN, according to the network’s president Jeff Zucker.

Sayoc is an ardent supporter of Trump whose acquaintances said he had extremist views and lived in a van covered with pro-Trump and anti-liberal stickers. 

He sent mail bombs to, among others, former president Barack Obama and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic rival in the last presidential race.

Disclaimer: This story has not been edited by Siliconeer and is published from a syndicated feed. Siliconeer does not assume any liability for the above story. Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Content copyright AFP.