A Georgia state prison inmate is facing federal indictment charges after allegedly making bombs and mailing them to several federal facilities. David Cassady, 55, who is already serving a life sentence, was hit with the charges by U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg of the Southern District of Georgia, according to a press release from Steinberg's office. The serious charges include Making an Unregistered Destructive Device and Attempted Malicious Use of an Explosive.
Steinberg stated, "Protecting our personnel and facilities is a fundamental role of our office and of our law enforcement partners.” The indictment claims Cassady not only made the devices but also sent them off via U.S. Mail, targeting locales as far-flung as Anchorage, Alaska, and Washington, D.C. Noteworthy, there's no parole in the federal system, Cassady's life sentence notwithstanding.
The investigation into Cassady's alleged attempts to wreak havoc was a concerted effort involving several agencies such as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI Anchorage Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation among others. Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is leading the prosecution.
Cassady's alleged targets were the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Anchorage and a federal building on New York Avenue in the nation's capital. The indictment asserts these acts were intended "to maliciously damage or destroy, by means of fire or explosive, a building in whole or in part owned or possessed by, or leased to, the United States," creating a "substantial risk of injury to a person." It's important to remember that indictments are merely accusations. Defendants like Cassady are presumed innocent unless, and until proven guilty in the eyes of the law.
