Man pleads guilty to planting explosive devices a day after downtown protests

PITTSBURGH — A former Duquesne Heights man pleaded guilty in federal court to placing explosive devices near a downtown Pittsburgh building in May 2020.

Matthew Michanowicz, 53, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty to a charge of violating federal firearms law. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 13.

Authorities said on May 31, 2020, Michanowicz planted a camouflage backpack with three homemade explosives at 2 PNC Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, a day after violent protests erupted in the city.

Arson investigators said the suspect’s backpack containing three “suspicious devices” was found in bushes, forcing evacuation of the plaza while the bomb squad investigated.

Investigators said the devices were constructed of “spent OC vapor grenades” that the Pittsburgh Police had previously used. There was a fluid inside that was leaking and all three devices had wicks attached to them. The wicks were held in place with what appeared to be spray foam insulation.

According to officials, security camera footage in the area actually showed Michanowicz leaving the backpack the day before. He rode up on a bike, looked around for a few seconds and then left the backpack in the bushes.

ATF agents raided his home and found fuses matching the ones attached to the explosives, a can of spray foam insulation and a syringe filled with liquid that smelled similar to what was found inside the devices.

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