NEW YORK _ Florida man Cesar Sayoc pleaded guilty Thursday in Manhattan Federal Court to sending bombs to President Donald Trump's political enemies through the mail.
Sayoc, 56, started to cry and shake as he pleaded guilty to 65 counts, including use of a weapon of mass destruction and illegal mailing of explosives with intent to kill.
"In October 2018 I made devices that were designed to look like pipe bombs and sent them in the mail," he said.
He listed the recipients, including Robert De Niro, former President Barack Obama and others. He also detailed the components of the crude bombs.
"I know these actions were wrong and I'm extremely sorry," he said, crying.
Sayoc sat through most of the proceeding with his mouth slightly open and his eyes locked on the judge. He spoke almost in a whisper.
He will be sentenced by Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff.
Sayoc mailed 16 improvised explosive devices to CNN and prominent Democrats including Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The right-wing fanatic had been living in a van covered in stickers of Trump and images of the president's enemies with crosshairs over their faces when he was arrested in October after a national manhunt.
The 30-count indictment against Sayoc carried a possible life sentence.
Sayoc had worked as a DJ at a strip club, a bodybuilder and a pizza deliveryman. Photos showed he had been a regular presence at Trump's rallies. A family friend told the New York Daily News that Sayoc suffered from mental illness.
