(WXYZ) — John Douglas Allen, 75, of Whittemore, Michigan, has been arrested in connection to the two separate criminal complaints related to the placement of explosive packages outside cellphone stores in Cheboygan and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Whittemore and Cheboygan are in the Eastern District and Sault Ste. Marie is in the Western District of Michigan.
According to the FBI, the explosive devices were found last Thursday. Police and bomb technicians arrived and rendered the devices safe.
The FBI says the devices were contained inside USPS Priority Mail boxes, sealed with black duct tape and had threatening notes that were signed either "HJ" or "Handcuff Johnny" and the letters "CMT" were written on each box.
In each district, Allen faces charges of extortion, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and attempted damage or destruction of buildings used in interstate commerce, which is punishable by a minimum of five years and not more than 20 years in prison.
Allen will be making an initial appearance this afternoon in Bay City on the complaint pending in the Eastern District of Michigan. A date has not yet been set for his initial appearance in the Western District of Michigan.
The FBI is reminding people not to touch, move or handle any suspicious packages.
