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{{about|the#REDIRECT criminal|the Monty Python skit|The Bishop (Monty Python)|other uses|[[Bishop (disambiguation)}}]]
 
'''The Bishop''' is the pseudonym of an anonymous person who sent several threatening letters and bomb-like devices to financial firms in the [[Midwest|Midwestern United States]] in 2005 and 2007.<ref name=Chicago Sun-Times> [http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/251166,CST-NWS-bomber10.article Is bomb from 'Bishop'?], [[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', February 10, 2007</ref><ref name="CNN_Arrest">{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/25/bishop.arrest.ap/index.html | title= Machinist charged in 'Bishop' bomb threats | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=2007-04-25 | accessdate=2007-04-25}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/7183971.html [[KCRG]] Channel 9. Retrieved April 25, 2007]</ref>
 
==Letters==
===Beginning===
Beginning in 2005,<ref name=Chicago Sun-Times/> threatening letters were sent to various financial institutions, demanding that certain [[stock]] prices be raised to $6.66 (the Biblical "[[Number of the Beast]]").<ref name="CNN_Arrest"/> The letters were signed by "The Bishop". The return addresses on the letters were from various cities in the Midwest. The sender set deadlines for the stock prices to be changed, and threatened to take action if the deadlines were not met. The companies to whom the letters were sent had no way of manipulating stock prices, and the deadlines passed with no action from the firms "The Bishop" contacted.
 
===Bombs===
In January 2007, The Bishop mailed two [[pipe bombs]]; one to [[American Century Investments]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], and the other to [[Janus Capital Group]] in [[Denver]] which was in turn accidentally forwarded to a subsidiary investment firm located in the downtown [[Chicago]]<ref name=CBS> [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/09/eveningnews/main2457566.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_2457566 "The Bishop" Targets Financial Houses], [[CBS]], February 8, 2007</ref> area known as [[Chicago Loop|The Loop]]. The bombs had vital parts missing, and are believed to have been meant as warnings. A typed letter accompanied each device, suggesting that if certain demands were not met more letter bombs would follow.
 
===Theories===
Security analysts who have examined "The Bishop"'s [[modus operandi]] speculate that he may be emulating the 1972 [[Charles Bronson]] movie ''[[The Mechanic]]'' <ref name=2Chicago Sun-Times> [http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/274265,CST-NWS-bishop27.article Is bomber a movie buff?], [[Chicago Sun-Times]], February 27, 2007</ref>. In the movie, Bronson portrays an assassin named "Arthur Bishop", who uses bombs to kill others. Bronson also leaves a note for an intended victim saying "Bang, you're dead" -- the same text was found in notes sent by "The Bishop" in his suspicious packages.
 
==Arrest of a suspect==
On April 25, 2007, U.S. law enforcement agencies in Dubuque, Iowa, arrested a man they believe to be "The Bishop."<ref name=Reuters> [http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2007-04-25T133119Z_01_N25264579_RTRIDST_0_USA-BOMBS-ARREST.XML Arrest in U.S. 'Bishop' bomb-threat case], [[Reuters]]'', April 25, 2007</ref> Authorities have identified the suspect as a 42-year-old former postal worker.<ref name="CNN_Arrest"/> He has been described as a machinist who is married. This does not fit the original criminal profile compiled by the FBI.
 
According to sources, analyzing and following stock trading records led U.S. Postal Service investigators to the suspect. Also, it is reported that a photograph included in an October 25, 2005 threat letter showed the window of the vehicle from which the photograph was taken. The vehicle was identified as a four-door [[Chevrolet Lumina]]. Authorities observed the suspect driving a red 1993 Chevrolet Lumina. The interior of the vehicle appears to match the vehicle shown in the photograph.
 
After authorities surveilled the suspect for a lengthy period and built their case, search and arrest warrants were executed. Because of the nature of The Bishop's alleged crimes -- sending [[Improvised explosive device|IED]]s (Improvised Explosive Device) through the mail -- the possibility that he could detonate an IED while being arrested was a major safety concern.
 
After the arrest warrant was served, authorities in Dubuque evacuated part of an apartment complex when a bomb-sniffing dog stopped at a storage locker connected to the suspect. The apartment complex is located about a mile from the suspect's residence on the west side of town.
 
A [[KWWL (TV)|KWWL]] news story says friends and family expressed great surprise at the suspect's arrest. The same story indicates he was very active in the local [[Fraternal Order of Eagles|Eagles']] lodge <ref>http://www.kwwl.com/News/index.php?ID=10744 Retrieved April 25, 2007</ref>
 
===Jurisdiction===
The mailings are said to have occurred in [[Des Moines, Iowa]], [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], and [[Chicago, Illinois]] regions. The government chose the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois|Northern District of Illinois]] as the venue for prosecution
<ref>http://chicago.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel07/apr25_07.htm FBI press release (retrieved May 6, 2007)</ref>. None of the offenses are alleged to have occurred in Dubuque, which is in the jurisdiction of the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa]]. [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]] is in the territory of the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa]].
 
===Indictment===
On September 18, 2007, a special federal grand jury returned a fifteen count indictment. The suspect was charged with ten counts of securities fraud, two counts of mailing threatening letters to further a scheme of [[extortion]], two counts of possessing an unregistered explosive device, a finally, one count of using an explosive device in the commission of a crime.<ref>[[Associated Press]], "Pipe Bomb Suspect Indicted", [[Dubuque, Iowa|Dubuque]] ''[[Telegraph Herald]]'', September 20, 2007, p.1</ref>
 
===Dismissals===
On March 6 2009, a federal judge dismissed the ten counts of securities fraud, ruling the charges did not apply to the suspect because no attempt was made to manipulate the stock market. The suspect still faced five federal destructive device charges.<ref>[http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/news/article.asp?docKey=600-200903111923APDIGITLFINANCE__IA_Pipe_Bombs-5O6LEC1H82T29VDU0LLO5SAEUH&params=timestamp%7C%7C03/11/2009%207:23%20PM%20ET%7C%7Cheadline%7C%7CJudge%20dismisses%20charges%20against%20%22The%20Bishop%22%7C%7CdocSource%7C%7CAP%20Digital%7C%7Cprovider%7C%7CACQUIREMEDIA&symbol=NOK Judge dismisses charges against "The Bishop"], March 11, 2009</ref>
 
===Fresh charges===
On April 30, 2009, prosecutors filed a new 13-count indictment based on the findings of a new grand jury. The indictment charged the former postal worker with two counts of possession of an unregistered destructive device, one count of using such a device while committing a violent crime, and ten counts of mailing a threatening communication with the intent to commit extortion.<ref>[http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=244831 'Bishop' suspect has new lawyer], ''[[Telegraph Herald]]'', May 29, 2009</ref>
 
===Status===
As of April 27, 2010 the suspect is on his fourth lawyer and still awaiting trial. He remains in custody at a Chicago federal prison.<ref>[http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/92151794.html Dubuque Man Accused of Being "Bishop Bomber" Still Awaiting Trial After Three Years], [[KCRG]] Channel 9. Retrieved April 27, 2010]</ref>
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
==External links==
*[http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/indict/2007/us_v_john_p_tomkins.pdf Indictment (17 page *.pdf document)]
*[http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/indict/2007/us_v_tomkins.pdf Federal complaint (*.pdf)] (retrieved May 6, 2007)
*[http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/indict/2007/us_v_tomkins.pdf US Attorney's press release (*.pdf)] (retrieved May 6, 2007)
*[http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/bishop.php Detailed report on The Bishop's actions]
*[http://chicago.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel07/apr25_07.htm FBI press release] (retrieved May 6, 2007)
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bishop}}
[[Category:American extortionists]]
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