FBI official suspects Jan. 5 pipe bomber’s phone location data may be ‘corrupted’.

A Former FBI Official Reveals Potential Obstacles in Identifying Capitol Riot Pipe Bomb Suspect

A former top FBI official recently testified before the House Judiciary Committee, shedding light on potential challenges faced by the bureau in identifying the suspect who planted pipe bombs the night before the Capitol riot. Steven D’Antuono, the former assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, disclosed that geolocation data from one cellphone provider may have been corrupted, hampering the investigation.

D’Antuono explained that the FBI conducted a thorough geofence of the area, utilizing warrants to locate cellular devices based on signals such as Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, or other pings off of cell towers. However, he admitted that the data obtained were not complete due to corruption from one of the providers. While he couldn’t recall which provider was affected, he acknowledged the possibility that the corrupted data could have contained crucial information for identifying the suspect.

The revelation raises concerns about the FBI’s handling of the pipe bomb investigation, as no arrests have been made and the suspect’s identity remains unknown. The House Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, expressed their worries to FBI Director Christopher Wray, emphasizing the need for a briefing and requesting various documents and communications related to the investigation.

The Mystery Surrounding the Pipe Bombs

The pipe bombs, placed outside the Republican and Democratic national headquarters on January 5, 2021, continue to be one of the biggest mysteries stemming from the events surrounding the Capitol riot. Despite extensive resources being deployed to neutralize the threats, the suspect remains at large, with their gender and identity still undisclosed.

Speculation has arisen regarding the possibility that the pipe bombs were intended as a diversionary tactic. However, D’Antuono dismissed this theory as pure speculation, emphasizing the need to find the person or persons responsible to uncover the truth.

The FBI has offered a combined reward of up to $500,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the attempted pipe bomber. The bureau has released videos and details about the suspect, including their attire and the route they took on the night of January 5.

As the investigation continues, the House Judiciary Committee seeks transparency from the FBI, urging Director Wray to provide comprehensive briefings and relevant documents. The quest to identify the individual behind the pipe bombs remains a top priority in uncovering the full extent of the Capitol riot.

Source: The Washington Examiner