Statement of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters on the Arrest of Subject in Explosive Devices Investigation
Last night, the FBI’s Detroit Division and Michigan State Police arrested an individual on charges related to the placement of explosive devices outside cellphone stores in Northern Michigan. Until that individual appears before a judge, no additional identifying information can be released.
Since these devices were found on Thursday afternoon, special agents, intelligence analysts, troopers, deputies, and officers from the FBI, Michigan State Police, Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office, Cheboygan Police Department, Sault Ste. Marie Police Department, and Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Police, the US Coast Guard, US Border Patrol and ATF have been working around the clock to identify and apprehend this subject.
An investigation this fast-moving cannot be successful without good partnerships. The tireless efforts and seamless coordination amongst all the investigative agencies were critical to quickly identifying and arresting the subject, disrupting the threat this individual posed to the public.
I am asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI or submit tips to tips.fbi.gov.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW:
The FBI is asking the public for information leading to the identification of the person(s) responsible for two explosive devices which were left outside cellphone stores in Cheboygan and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
On Thursday, September 16, 2021, two explosive devices were discovered at cellphone stores in Sault Ste. Marie and Cheboygan, Michigan. Law enforcement officers and bomb technicians from the Michigan State Police and the FBI responded to the locations and rendered the devices safe.
Both devices were contained inside USPS Priority Mail boxes, sealed with black duct tape, and placed outside the cellphone stores. There were threatening notes addressed to Verizon and AT&T on the top of each box. The noteswere signed either “HJ” or “Handcuff Johnny.” The letters “CMT” were written on each box.
The FBI and Michigan State Police believe these devices are related to a series of letters discovered in the Upper Peninsula last month. The letters, claiming to be from the “Coalition for Moral Telecommunications” (CMT) were found at multiple telecommunications tower sites across the UP.
The letters made specific demands to the telecommunications companies.
The FBI is seeking information regarding the person(s) responsible for the letters and explosivedevices. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov. Individuals who provide information may remain anonymous.
This investigation is being worked jointly by the FBI, Michigan State Police, Cheboygan Police Department, Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office, Sault Ste. Marie Police Department, and Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Police.
The FBI reminds members of the public to remain vigilant and not touch, move, or handle any suspicious or unknown packages, but to call the nearest law enforcement agency.
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