The South Florida man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that have the potential of carrying a sentence of life in prison.
Cesar Sayoc entered the plea through his lawyers during his appearance in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff set a July 15, 2019, trial date.
Sayoc -- who faces five federal counts, including use of a weapon of mass destruction -- is accused of sending 16 improvised explosive devices through the U.S. mail to victims across the country. None of the devices exploded.
Federal prosecutors said authorities are still scouring surveillance video from the U.S. Postal Service and lining up experts to examine the explosive devices. They estimated the government will need three weeks to present its evidence at Sayoc's trial.
Sayoc was arrested on Oct. 26 in Plantation, Florida outside an auto parts store.
He had been living in a van covered with stickers of Trump and showing images of some of the president's opponents with crosshairs over their faces.