22 September 2004 LAWFUEL – Best law, criminal law, legal, attorney, law firm news & legal researchMarcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael S. Clemens, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Christina Pharo, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, announced today that defendant, Pedro Martinez, was convicted by a federal jury after a three-day trial before United States District Court Judge Alan S. Gold, of using the mail to convey false information concerning a threat to bomb the federal courthouse in Miami, Florida, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e). Martinez faces a maximum statutory term of imprisonment of ten (10) years’ and a maximum fine of up to $250,000. Martinez’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 7, 2004.
According to evidence presented by the government at trial, in March, 2003, Martinez authored a letter threatening to bomb the federal courthouse in Miami and to kill Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle if the war against Iraq were not stopped within twenty-four (24) hours. The letter was received at the Miami federal courthouse on March 26, 2003. After its receipt, the letter was linked to Martinez through a latent palm print and handwriting analysis.
Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshal’s Service, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Schlesinger and William White.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls