A man planned to throw a 200-pound bomb on Washington's mall, according to the FBI



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Federal officials have arrested and charged a New York man after learning of the existence of a plot to unleash a bomb in the mall on election day. (Andrew Harrer / Bloomberg News)

The federal authorities arrested and charged a New York man who they said was planning to build a 200-pound bomb and blow it up on election day at the mall.

Paul M. Rosenfeld, 56, of Tappan, New York State, was charged Wednesday in the Southern District of New York District Court with illegally fabricating a device for destruction and destruction. carrying an explosive from one state to another, according to the FBI.

Officials said he planned to use the bomb to kill himself and draw attention to a political belief called "tri-sorting," in which politicians are randomly selected for a term instead of To be elected.

It was not clear if Rosenfeld had a lawyer.

Rosenfeld "concocted a twisted plan to draw attention to his political ideology by killing himself in the national mall," US attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said in a statement.

In August and September, Rosenfeld sent text messages and letters to a Pennsylvania person to announce his intention to blow up a bomb on the mall, authorities said.

On Tuesday, the FBI raided his home in Rockland County and found a usable bomb in his basement. He was transported to a "safe place" in the county, officials said. Federal officials have also found empty black powder cans and a melting system that can trigger an explosive.

FBI deputy director William F. Sweeney said "Rosenfeld's alleged conspiracy could have killed innocent people and caused untold destruction," he added. A worried citizen had informed the investigators.

The agents said that they thought Rosenfeld was acting alone in the alleged conspiracy.

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