Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); Bryan DiGirolamo, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (“ATF”); Melvin Padilla, the Chief of the Bedford Police Department; and Terrance Raynor, the Acting Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, announced that DAMJAN STANIVUKOVIC and VLADAMIR RADUNOVIC were arrested on January 13, 2024, and each charged with one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device and one count of conspiracy to commit stalking. The Complaint charges that on or about January 11, 2024, the defendants transported a homemade destructive device to a neighborhood in Mount Kisco, New York, and dropped the destructive device off in the driveway of the victim’s residence, where it exploded. In addition, the Complaint charges that later that same day, as part of the conspiracy, the victim received a text message that this was his “final warning.” STANIVUKOVIC, the owner of a contracting company, is involved in a long-running legal dispute with the victim. When searching STANIVUKOVIC’s residence, law enforcement seized, among other things, multiple loaded firearms, items matching those used to make the destructive device, and written instructions on how to make explosives. The defendants were presented on January 13, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik and detained without bail.
U.S. Attorney Damian William said: “The career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners stand ready to act around the clock when our communities are threatened. Damjan Stanivukovic and Vladamir Radunovic were in custody just two days after they allegedly planted a destructive device in the driveway of the victim’s residence. This case is a testament to the critical and effective work that our interagency collaborations accomplish on a daily basis. We have no tolerance for violence in the Southern District of New York.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Damjan Stanivukovic and Vladamir Radunovic allegedly tried to resolve a contentious business relationship with threats of violence and a homemade bomb. While business deals aren’t always successful, neither are overt acts of violence that bring forth federal charges. Thankfully, in this case, no one was injured. The FBI will continue to ensure that anyone willing to solve personal grievances with threats and attempts of violence are punished to the fullest extent in the criminal justice system.”
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo said: “Perpetuating violence against others, under any context, is unacceptable behavior. The men and women of ATF NY Hudson Valley Field Office will continue to work alongside our partners at FBI and Bedford Police to address acts of violence in our communities.”
Bedford Police Chief Melvin Padilla said: “The safety and security of our residents is our primary focus, and thanks to the diligent work of our detectives and the cooperation and assistance from our federal partners, the defendants were quickly identified and apprehended.”
Westchester County Department of Public Safety Acting Commissioner Terrance Raynor said: “I commend all the agencies involved for their skillful and effective collaboration in bringing this investigation to a swift conclusion. This is yet another example of the value and importance of multi-agency partnerships, which help us keep Westchester safe.”
As alleged in the criminal Complaint:[1]
At approximately 5:11 a.m. on or about January 11, 2024, STANIVUKOVIC and RADUNOVIC traveled through Rockland County, New York, to Westchester County, New York, in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee and dropped a destructive device off at the victim’s residence in Mount Kisco, New York, where the destructive device exploded. Law enforcement recovered a box from the scene, which bore STANIVUKOVIC’s name and address, as well as a 2.5-gallon gasoline can, firework tubing, and firework residue.
Later that day, on or about 12:11 p.m., the victim received a text message from a particular phone number, which stated “Knock knock, show up and what do you think is next. This is your final warning.” Around the time that text message was sent, the cellphone associated with that particular phone number was located in the vicinity of STANIVUKOVIC’s business address and the black Jeep Grand Cherokee.
A search warrant executed at STANIVUKOVIC’s residence, where RADUNOVIC had been staying, recovered, among other things, gasoline canisters and fireworks matching those used to construct the destructive device, multiple loaded firearms, and a book titled “Make Fireworks and Explosives at Home – The Ultimate Instruction Manual for Beginners and Pyrotechnicians to Build Firecrackers, Fireworks and Explosives from Scratch.”
DAMJAN STANIVUKOVIC, 52, of Closter, New Jersey, and VLADAMIR RADUNOVIC, 47, of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, are each charged with one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit stalking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, the ATF, the Bedford Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and the Closter, New Jersey Police Department.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Wheelock is in charge of the prosecution.
The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
No comments:
Post a Comment