FBI Arrests Man Who Plotted to Detonate Bomb on Election Day

"Had he been successful, Rosenfeld’s alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction," FBI Assistant Director in Charge William Sweeney said.

• By Jessica Davis
• Oct 12, 2018

A New York man who’d plotted to blow himself up in Washington, D.C. on Election Day has been arrested by the FBI and charged in federal court with unlawful manufacture of a destruction device and interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive.

According to the court papers, the man allegedly sent letters and text messages to a Pennsylvania resident detailing his plan to detonate his explosive device on the National Mall on Election Day. The Pennsylvania resident alerted the FBI, and the suspect was pulled over and arrested on Tuesday.

The man told federal agents he’d ordered large quantities of “black powder” online for the construction of a planned 200-pound explosive device in a plywood box in his basement. FBI technicians removed the bomb from his basement on Wednesday and moved it to a safe location.

He intended to be killed in the blast, but officials say he had no plans to hurt anyone else. He allegedly wanted to blow himself up on or around Election Day because he was unhappy with the country’s direction. Authorities believe he is a lone actor unaffiliated with any terror group or ideology.

"Had he been successful, Rosenfeld’s alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction," FBI Assistant Director in Charge William Sweeney said.

If convicted, the suspect faces up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities said there is no danger to the public.