Florida Man, 56, Arrested In Connection With Pipe Bomb Mailings

A suspect was arrested in the investigation of bombs sent to prominent Democrats and critics of President Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Friday. FBI Director Chris Wray identified the suspect as Cesar Sayoc.

Sayoc was charged with five federal crimes, Sessions said during a nationally televised press conference. Sessions had said Sayoc faced up to 58 years in prison, but a Justice Department spokesperson later corrected the number to 48 years.

Several law enforcement sources told CBS News that Sayoc was born in 1962. Records show that his full name is Cesar Altieri Sayoc and that he appears to have a criminal history in Broward County, Florida.

A fingerprint was uncovered from a package bomb sent to Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, Wray said. The print was then connected to Sayoc.

Wray also said there was a possible DNA connection relating to one of Sayoc's past arrests. A law enforcement source had said that DNA evidence on one of the devices played a part in leading investigators to the suspect, CBS News senior investigative producer Pat Milton reported.

Also Friday, authorities recovered suspicious packages sent to Democratic senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris; James Clapper, the director of national intelligence under President Obama; and Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer. Wray described the packages recovered this week as improvised explosive devices.

The package sent to Booker was found in Florida, the FBI said on Twitter on Friday morning. Sources told CBS News that the package sent to Clapper was found at a postal facility in New York City.

The packages sent to Harris and Steyer were found in separate locations in Northern California.

Package bomb sent to Sen. Kamala Harris

A Northern California postal worker prevented a package bomb from being sent to a district office for Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris, the senator's office said in a statement Friday. The FBI said in court documents that the bomb was one of the 13 allegedly sent by Cesar Sayoc.

A U.S. official told CBS News that federal officials and police were investigating a suspicious package addressed to Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer that was similar to the 13 package bombs. The package was discovered at a different Northern California postal facility.

Suspicious package sent to Tom Steyer

A U.S. official told CBS News that federal officials and police were investigating a suspicious package addressed to Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer. The package was found at a postal facility in Burlingame, California, which is in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The package was similar to bombs discovered this week. In a statement, Steyer, who has called for the impeachment of President Trump, said that the country faced more threats "than just one isolated terrorist in Florida.

"Whether it's voter suppression, voter intimidation, attacks on our free press, gerrymandering, or attempted violence -- the trust and norms that are the actual basis for our civil society and political system are being eroded," Steyer said.

Key fingerprint found late this week, FBI director says

Investigators found the fingerprint that led them to Cesar Sayoc late this week, FBI Director Chris Wray said. Analysts had only begun examining the package bomb that provided the print on Thursday.

The fingerprint was lifted from the envelope of the package bomb sent to Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, the director said. Wray told reporters that he was confident a suspect would be found once investigators had the print.

Wray wouldn't say whether anyone else was involved with the bombs, saying the investigation was active and ongoing. "We do believe we've caught the right guy," the director said.

Purported photo of van shows target on Clinton

A picture shows what is believed to be a van seized in the package bomb investigation before the van was seized.

A picture believed to be of a van seized by authorities in the package bomb investigation shows a sticker with a target around former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's face. The picture was taken on an earlier date before authorities seized the van late Friday morning.

Other stickers show President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence giving the thumbs-up sign. Another sticker read "CNN sucks" in all capital letters.

The van was taken to the FBI's field office in Miramar, Florida.

Suspect seen on video at Trump rally

Video has emerged of Cesar Altieri Sayoc, the package bomb suspect, at a rally for President Trump. The video was recorded in Cincinnati in October 2016.

Trump says "terrorizing acts" were "despicable"

President Trump congratulated multiple law enforcement agencies for arresting a suspect in the package bomb investigation. "We have the best in the world, and we just showed it," the president said while addressing a group of young black leaders in the East Room of the White House.

The president didn't identify the suspect, which several law enforcement sources told CBS News is Cesar Altieri Sayoc, but he said the suspect would be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law." He said that the "terrorizing acts" were "despicable and have no place in our country."

"We must never allow political violence to take root in America," Mr. Trump said.

White van seized after arrest in Florida

Investigators secure a van believed to be linked to the mail bomb suspect in Plantation, Florida.

 CBS NEWS

Federal authorities covered and seized a white van in Florida after the Department of Justice confirmed an arrest had been made in the bomb investigation. The suspect was arrested at an auto repair shop in Plantation, Florida.

Aerial footage captured images of the van before it was taken away. Some of the van's windows were covered with stickers.

Clapper package contained apparent pipe bomb

New York police credited an alert postal worker with finding an apparent pipe bomb at a post office Friday morning. John Miller, the police department's deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, said at a press conference that the bomb was in a package consistent with others seen this week.

Sources have confirmed to CBS News that the package was addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Wasserman Schultz calls use of name "disturbing"

Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said it was "disturbing" to have her name appear on the phony return addresses of bombs sent through the mail. She is a former head of the Democratic National Committee.

Video Extra: Wasserman Schultz Decries Use Of Her Name

Wasserman Schultz said she was proud of her staff for quickly returning to work after a package bomb intended for former Attorney General Eric Holder was instead delivered to her district office in Florida. "You will not knock us down," she said.

Trump ties "'Bomb' stuff" to GOP "momentum"

President Trump implied that press coverage of the mail bombs was slowing Republican momentum ahead of the midterm elections. "News not talking politics," the president said.

Donald J. Trump?@realDonaldTrump

Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!

9:19 AM - Oct 26, 2018

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Earlier Friday morning, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr. Trump was " receiving constant information as it is available" about the new packages.

Photo of package sent to James Clapper

CBS New York station WCBS-TV obtained a photo of the suspicious package addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. The package was intended to be sent to CNN's offices at New York's Time Warner Center.

Since leaving the government, Clapper has worked for CNN as a contributor.

View image on Twitter

CBS New York?@CBSNewYork

JUST IN: We now have photo of the suspicious package addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper found at mail facility on 52nd Street in Midtown, Manhattan. Read more: https://cbsloc.al/2PXm514 

8:17 AM - Oct 26, 2018

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