WEB DESK
The person who was apprehended on suspicion of sending suspicious packages to a dozen prominent people including fromer president Obama has been identified as Florida resident Cesar Sayoc, US media reported Friday, citing law enforcement sources.
Sayoc was apprehended in a shopping center in Plantation, Florida, west of Ft. Lauderdale, and authorities seized the white van he was driving.
The van was covered with photos of president Donald Trump and with threatening images against figures such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – the intended recipient of one of the packages – and filmmaker Michael Moore.
Sayoc, who has a criminal record, resided in Aventura, northeast of Miami and, according to his LinkedIn page, worked in the entertainment industry.
Trump said Friday that the suspect would face “swift and certain justice,” while urging Americans to “unify” against these “despicable” acts.
“I am pleased to inform you that law enforcement has apprehended the suspect and taken him into custody,” Trump said during an event at the White House.
The president said that his administration would prosecute the suspect and anyone else possibly involved to the “fullest extent of the law.”
Trump praised US law enforcement agencies for their “incredible job” capturing the suspect, adding that finding the alleged culprit was like uncovering “a needle in a haystack.”