South Florida became the center attention in the probe of the attempted attack on Democratic political leaders and activists, with the suspect in the plot found to have been living in the area. He is facing multiple federal charges that could send him to prison for decades. He is the type of defendant who will need intervention by a Fort Lauderdale federal defense attorney. Such assistance is available from the law firm of Hassett & Associates.
Packages had been sent to the homes, offices and businesses of two former presidents, a former vice president, a former U.S. attorney general, two members of the U.S. Congress and others known for their support of Democratic causes. The packages contained pipe bombs that used clocks and batteries. The FBI has confirmed that the devices were real and the plot not a hoax.
The investigation into the attempted bombings came to the South Florida region after two of the packages were found to have been processed in an Opa-locka mail distribution center. The probe was carried out with help from local police authorities, although federal officials were primarily responsible for conducting the inquiry. Identified with the help of a fingerprint on one of the packages and with additional DNA evidence, the suspect was apprehended by FBI agents when he drove into a parking lot in a Fort Lauderdale suburb.
The suspect, who had most recently worked as a pizza delivery man, was living in his van. A review of his troubled history revealed that he has an extensive criminal background, with previous arrests on drug, theft and other charges, and that he had filed for bankruptcy in 2012. The federal charges he faces in connection with the bomb plot include the threatening of a former president and the mailing of a destructive device. Although he was initially taken to Miami for detention in a federal facility, he may eventually be transferred to New York for prosecution in a federal court.
Federal offenses involve the violation of laws that are administered at the national level. However, some of the same crimes can also be prosecuted by individual states. Those charged with such offenses can benefit from the services of a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney. Defense attorney Kenneth P. Hassett provides representation for criminal defendants in both state and federal cases. This is why those facing such charges should consider contacting the law firm of Hassett & Associates at 954-791-3939.
