A Northern Michigan man who left multiple pipe bombs at various stores as part of a $5 million extortion plot was sentenced on Wednesday.
The Department of Justice announced that John Douglas Allen, 76, of Whittemore, was sentenced to 75 months for two criminal cases related to the extortion plot. He pleaded guilty in July to leaving two pipe bombs outside cellphone stores in Cheboygan and Sault Ste. Marie.
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Allen pleaded guilty to extortion by wrongful use of force, violence, and fear, as well as two counts of attempted destruction of a building using an explosive device, according to officials.
Court records show that on Sept. 15, 2021, around 7:30 p.m., Allen placed a United States Postal Service (USPS) box with black tape on it and a wire coming out of it outside an AT&T Store in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. On the same day, but later in the evening, he placed another USPS box with black tape on it and a wire coming out of it outside of a Verizon Store in Cheboygan.
The FBI examined the two boxes and concluded that they were improvised explosive devices, also known as pipe bombs.
Officials determined that Allen was also connected to threatening notes that were demanding $5 million and were placed on cellphone towers in the area. Agents were able to identify Allen as the person who made the threats. According to officials, Allen claimed that he was motivated by what he viewed as immoral content being spread on the internet and cellphones.
“This defendant sought to use terror, threats, and bombs to scare ordinary people going about their business,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison in a news release. “We will not tolerate individuals who use fear to try to line their own pockets.”
Previous coverage: Northern Michigan man admits leaving pipe bombs at stores