Capitol bomb threat: Suspect charged with threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction

Capitol bomb threat suspect Floyd Ray Roseberry has been charged with threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to use an explosive device. The Justice Department has framed the charges against the suspect.

The charges were unsealed during Roseberry’s first court appearance in DC District Court, CNN reported. Roseberry, 51, is currently in jail, and prosecutors intend to keep him behind bars while his case progresses in court.

Roseberry was taken into custody after he allegedly threatened to detonate a bomb near the US Capitol on Thursday. He made a virtual appearance before US Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui on Friday.  

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The hearing was a brief affair as the judge considered Roseberry’s health issues. The suspect had not taken his medications for his blood pressure and for his “mind,” the judge heard.

“My concern is that the defendant has stated that he is unable to understand the proceedings today without his medication,” Faruqui was quoted by CNN as saying during the hearing. The court has also ordered a psychological evaluation of the suspect. 

The incident that unfolded on Thursday lead to the evacuation of multiple buildings in the area. as authorities responded to an “active bomb threat investigation,” the Capitol Police said.

Later on Thursday,  the Capitol Police said that no bomb was found in Roseberry’s truck although he did possess suspected bomb-making material. DC Police said that the vehicle the suspect was driving had been “cleared,” and that road closures that were in place due to the incident were lifted.