By Chris Moore

chris.moore@panews.com

 

BEAUMONT — A federal indictment says Jonathan Torres sent a threatening letter to the Beaumont Police Department three days before the first explosive was found at the Starbucks on Dowlen Road.

A Jefferson County grand jury indicted Torres, 40, of Beaumont, who was charged with use of an explosive to cause property damage, possession of an unregistered destructive device and mailing a threatening communication.

According to the indictment, on April 23 Torres used the Postal Service to deliver a “threat to injure unspecified persons,” which was addressed to “’BMT PD,’ 3143 College St., Beaumont, Texas 77701.

Torres’ attorney will fill for a request for a court-ordered psychological evaluation to determine competency to withstand trial.

Torres’ first arraignment is set for 2 p.m. Thursday.

Torres’ attorney, Ryan Gertz, said that he will file for discovery after the hearing Thursday, where Torres is expect to plead not guilty.

“I want to see what they have first,” Gertz said. “The last charge they have about the mailing of the threat — that’s the first I’ve seen of that.”

According to an affidavit, Torres placed an explosive device in a package, found April 26, along with a note on an index card that read “HAJI DIE USA — JH”. The device did not detonate. The affidavit also said on May 10, Torres placed a package containing an explosive device at the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Delaware Street. The explosive detonated, causing damage to the St. Stephen’s administration building. Both packaged explosives contained a mousetrap along with small nails and screws.

Torres was arrested May 24 at his home in the 4400 block of El Paso Street without incident. The arrest affidavit claimed materials found in Torres’ home were similar to those that made the explosive packages.

If convicted, Torres would face between a minimum of five and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.