Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No.

AUSA:
1, PageID.1
J. MichaelFiled 09/21/21 Telephone:
Buckley Page 1 of(313)
26 226-9100
AO 91 (Rev. 11/11) Criminal Complaint Special Agent: Sean Flood Telephone: (313) 965-2323

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

for the
Eastern District of Michigan

United States of America

v.
John Douglas Allen Case No. 1:21-mj-30443
Judge: Morris, Patricia T.
Filed: 09-21-2021

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

On or about the date(s) of September 15, 2021 in the county of Cheboygan in the
Eastern District of Michigan , the defendant(s) violated:
Code Section Offense Description
18 U.S.C. § 1951 Extortion

18 U.S.C. § 844(i) Attempted Damage or Destruction of Buildings Used in

Interstate Commerce

This criminal complaint is based on these facts:

See attached affidavit

✔ Continued on the attached sheet.

Complainant’s signature

Sean Flood, Special Agent, FBI

Printed name and title
Sworn to before me and signed in my presence
and/or by reliable electronic means.

Date: 9/21/2021 Judge’s signature

City and state: Bay City, MI Patricia T. Morris

Printed name and title

Save Print
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.2 Filed 09/21/21 Page 2 of 26

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF PROBABLE CAUSE

1. I, Sean Flood, a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI), being first duly sworn, hereby depose and state as follows:

INTRODUCTION AND AGENT BACKGROUND

2. I make this affidavit with personal knowledge based on my participation in

this investigation, including witness interviews by myself and/or other law
enforcement agents, communications with others who have personal
knowledge of the events and circumstances described here, and information
gained through my training and experience. The information outlined below
is for the limited purpose of establishing probable cause and does not
contain all details or all facts of which I am aware relating to this
investigation.

3. I have been employed as a special agent with the FBI since January 2019. As
a Special Agent with the FBI, my duties include the investigation of alleged
violations of federal criminal laws, including the subject offenses, 18 U.S.C.
§ 1951 (Extortion), and 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) (Attempted Damage or
Destruction of Buildings Used in Interstate Commerce).

4. I am currently investigating JOHN DOUGLAS ALLEN, d/o/b XX/XX/1946

(ALLEN), for violations of federal criminal laws, including the subject
offenses, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (Extortion), and 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) (Attempted
Damage or Destruction of Buildings Used in Interstate Commerce).

5. Based on my training and experience and the facts set forth in this affidavit,
there is probable cause to believe that, in the Eastern District of Michigan,
Northern Division, and elsewhere, JOHN ALLEN has committed violations
of federal criminal law, including 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (Extortion), and 18
U.S.C. § 844(i) (Attempted Damage or Destruction of Buildings Used in
Interstate Commerce).

1
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.3 Filed 09/21/21 Page 3 of 26

PROBABLE CAUSE

6. On August 24, 2021, at approximately 8:24 am, a maroon-colored vehicle

(the VEHICLE) was identified traveling northbound on I-75 North across
the Mackinac Bridge, according to video footage from the Mackinac Bridge
Authority. As seen in the below image, the VEHICLE had a California
license plate, 5WFE503 (California Department of Motor Vehicles did not
have records on this license plate, as their records only go back five years).
In addition, writing on the rear, driver’s side of the vehicle (above the model
name, circled in red below) appears to show Richardson Chevrolet Buick,
which, based on my research, is an auto dealership located at 501 N Main
Street, PO Box 190, Standish, Michigan 48658.

7. On August 25, 2021, a Spectrum employee who was at the

telecommunication tower near 90 First Street, St. Ignace, Michigan found a
letter on the ground near the fence that surrounds the tower. The letter was
inside a polka dot envelope, which was inside a sealed zip lock bag. The
letter appeared to have been attached to the fence but fell to the ground
before being found. This tower is located just north of US-2 near St. Ignace.
The employee opened the letter, which contained a threat and extortion
demand to AT&T, Verizon, and other carriers. The employee turned the
letter in to the Michigan State Police (MSP) in St. Ignace, Michigan.
2
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.4 Filed 09/21/21 Page 4 of 26

8. On August 26, 2021, law enforcement found a second letter at another tower
site near W19524 US-2, Gould City, Michigan. This is located on US-2 near
the Mackinac/Schoolcraft County line. This letter was also inside a polka dot
envelope, inside a sealed zip lock bag, but was found attached to the fence
with a black zip tie (circled in red). This letter was photographed and
collected as is, and was not opened. Here is a photo of the letter attached to
the fence in Mackinac County.

9. On August 26, 2021, the Ontonagon County Sheriff's Office reported that on
August 25, 2021, a Volterra Systems cell tower technician found another
letter at a tower located near 1199 Giesau Drive, Ontonagon Village,
Michigan. The letter was inside the same type of polka dot envelope inside a
sealed zip lock bag, which was attached to the fence with a black zip tie. The
contents of the letter appeared to be identical to the one located in St. Ignace.

10. On August 26, 2021, law enforcement located a black zip tie on the fence
surrounding the cell tower near W7221 Hiawatha Trail, Rexton, Michigan.
No letter could be found, but the zip tie appeared similar to the one found in
Gould City.

11. The letters each indicate that they are from the “Coalition for Moral
Telecommunication (CMT)” and were addressed to “AT&T, Verizon, and
all other Carriers.” In the letters, CMT claimed to be “almost thirty strong”

3
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.5 Filed 09/21/21 Page 5 of 26

and was “prepared to travel throughout this Country and begin distroying
[sic] inner city tower communication” unless several demands were
followed. One demand was that all “telecommunication containing immoral
content must be stopped,” which includes cursing, pornography, and “all
manner of indecent communication.” This demand had a time requirement
of “six months.” Another demand was payment of $5 million, which had a
time requirement “within 180 days.” The letters also noted that if one of its
members were arrested, then “your problems will begin” and the “price will
go up one hundred times.” The group claimed in the letter that its “reach”
was in 27 states. The letters also had “CMT 5101520TG” at the bottom of
them. Images of one of the letters are below.

4
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.6 Filed 09/21/21 Page 6 of 26

5
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.7 Filed 09/21/21 Page 7 of 26

12. On September 15, 2021, at approximately 7:30 pm, a white male, wearing a
light-colored hat, a face mask, dark-colored glasses, light-colored shoes,
dark-colored pants, a dark-colored shirt, a light-colored vest, and a dark-
colored watch (based on the investigation, believed to be JOHN ALLEN)
was inside of a sporting goods store located in Sault Ste. Marie, according
to video footage. While inside of the sporting goods store, the person
consistent in appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN was not
wearing gloves. Images from this video footage appear below.

6
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.8 Filed 09/21/21 Page 8 of 26

7
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.9 Filed 09/21/21 Page 9 of 26

8
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.10 Filed 09/21/21 Page 10 of 26

13. On September 15, 2021, at approximately 7:36 pm, the person consistent
in appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN placed a box (circled
in red) outside of an AT&T Store, located at 2972 W 8th Street, Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan 49783 (the SAULT STE. MARIE BOX), per video
footage from a nearby store. The AT&T Store is located in the same
shopping complex as the sporting goods store, referenced above. The
SAULT STE. MARIE BOX was a United States Postal Service (USPS)
box, with black tape on it and a wire coming out of it. The person
consistent in appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN was
driving a maroon-colored Chevrolet Uplander, with a trailer hitch attached
to a gray rear bumper, license plate 5WFE503, with the name of a state
containing numerous letters (e.g., California or Washington). However,
law enforcement officers were unable to make out the name of the state on
this license plate with certainty from this video footage. This vehicle is
consistent with and appears to be the VEHICLE in paragraph 6. After
discovering the license plate number of this vehicle from this footage, law
enforcement officers conducted searches for this license plate number at
the Mackinac Bridge Authority, described in paragraph 6. Images of the
person consistent in appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN
leaving the SAULT STE. MARIE BOX and the VEHICLE appear below.
The person consistent in appearance with and believed to be JOHN
ALLEN was wearing gloves at the time he left the SAULT STE. MARIE
BOX.

9
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.11 Filed 09/21/21 Page 11 of 26

10
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.12 Filed 09/21/21 Page 12 of 26

11
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.13 Filed 09/21/21 Page 13 of 26

14. On September 15, 2021, at approximately 9:37 pm, a maroon-colored van,

with a trailer hitch and gray rear bumper, that appeared to be the
VEHICLE, traveled southbound across the Mackinac Bridge (about a 50-
minute drive from Sault Ste. Marie), per video footage.

15. On September 15, 2021, at approximately 10:10 pm, JOHN ALLEN

placed a box (circled in red in the below photograph) outside of the
Verizon Store, located at 1006 S Main Street Plaza 27, Suite 3,
Cheboygan, Michigan 49721 (the CHEBOYGAN BOX), per video footage
from the Verizon Store. The person consistent in appearance with and
believed to be JOHN ALLEN appears to have worn gloves at the time he
placed the CHEBOYGAN BOX. The CHEBOYGAN BOX was a USPS
box, with black tape on it and a wire coming out of it. Video footage from
the Verizon Store and other nearby businesses show that the person
consistent in appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN traveled to
the Verizon Store in a vehicle that matched the general color and
description of the VEHICLE. An image of the person consistent in
appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN leaving the
CHEBOYGAN BOX and an image of the box appear below.

12
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.14 Filed 09/21/21 Page 14 of 26

16. On September 16, 2021, at approximately 8:44 am, the Cheboygan Police
Department was dispatched to the Verizon Store in Cheboygan, as a
Verizon Store employee had discovered a suspicious package. Once the
employee realized the package had a wire sticking out of it, the employee
called 911. Cheboygan police arrived, and then contacted the MSP Bomb
Squad for disposal. This package was also a USPS box with black tape and
a wire coming out of it; it looked similar in size and coloring as the
CHEBOYGAN BOX left by the person consistent in appearance with and
believed to be JOHN ALLEN. I therefore believe that the suspicious
package and the CHEBOYGAN BOX left by the person consistent in
appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN are the same. Law
enforcement analyzed the package and observed it to be consistent with a
pipe bomb. Officers also determined the package contained material that,
when contained, can detonate when initiated by an outside force such as
heat, shock, or friction. The package also contained metal BBs.

17. On September 16, 2021, at approximately 8:50 am, officers from the Sault
Ste. Marie Police Department responded to the report of a suspicious
package at the AT&T Store in Sault Ste. Marie. In response, the Sault Ste.
Marie Police Department requested support from various law enforcement
agencies, including the MSP Bomb Squad and the FBI. The suspicious
package was a USPS box with black tape and a wire coming out of it; it
looked similar in size and coloring as the SAULT STE. MARIE BOX left
by the person consistent in appearance with and believed to be JOHN
ALLEN. I therefore believe that the suspicious package and the SAULT
STE. MARIE BOX left by the person consistent in appearance with and
believed to be JOHN ALLEN are the same. The device in the SAULT
STE. MARIE BOX contained nails instead of metal BBs but was
otherwise similar to the device in the CHEBOYGAN BOX described
above. Below is an image of one of the devices.

13
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.15 Filed 09/21/21 Page 15 of 26

18. The two devices recovered from the CHEBOYGAN BOX and the SAULT
STE. MARIE BOX were examined by the Explosives Unit, FBI
Laboratory, which concluded that the two devices were improvised
explosive devices (IEDs), also commonly referred to as homemade bombs
or pipe bombs. From the FBI Lab’s information, and based on my training
and experience, I conclude that the two items are destructive devices,
commonly referred to as bombs or IEDs. An IED is generally comprised of
an explosive main charge, a fuzing system, and a container, all of which
were present. Properly assembled and initiated, the potential explosion
from these devices could cause property damage, personal injury, and/or
death. Each of the devices consisted of a metal pipe nipple with two metal
end caps, which provided containment for the low explosive powder main
charge. Metal spheres and nails were found within the powders of each
device. Hardened objects such as these enhance the explosive effect,
propelling fragments of metal outwards at high velocities which can cause
additional damage and injuries. Each device contained black granular

14
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.16 Filed 09/21/21 Page 16 of 26

material that was preliminarily identified as low explosives. A piece of

hobby fuse was inserted through a hole into each of the pipes. In addition,
based on the content of the letters found at the cell towers, which contained
demands; the language written on the boxes found at the stores, which
issued warnings; and the destructive nature of the two devices, as described
above, I submit there is probable cause to believe that these actions –
placing the letters and destructive devices – constitute threats that would
have affected interstate commerce.

19. Both the SAULT STE. MARIE BOX and the CHEBOYGAN BOX each
contained handcuffs. “CMT” was written on both boxes, and “Handcuff
Johnny” was written on the CHEBOYGAN BOX, while “HJ” was written
on the SAULT STE. MARIE BOX. In addition, both boxes contained
language indicating that this was the “last warning,” and that next time, it
would be during “business hours” (circled in red in the photograph below).

15
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.17 Filed 09/21/21 Page 17 of 26

20. The AT&T Store in Sault Ste. Marie and the Verizon Store in Cheboygan
both participate in interstate commerce and engage in activities that affect
interstate commerce. Among other things, both stores sell cellular
telephones and other electronic devices that are manufactured outside the
State of Michigan. Both stores also sell cellular telephone services, which
involve interstate communication and interstate commerce. Likewise, the
cell towers in the Upper Peninsula at which the letters were placed are
instruments of interstate commerce.

16
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.18 Filed 09/21/21 Page 18 of 26

21. On September 18, 2021, law enforcement officers went to Richardson

Chevrolet Buick in Standish, Michigan. As indicated in paragraph 6, this is
the auto dealership whose name appears on the VEHICLE. An employee at
the auto dealership provided information on vehicles that had similar
characteristics to the VEHICLE that had been sold at the dealership.

22. Law enforcement officers conducted research on these potential vehicles.

They eliminated several of these vehicles from further consideration, as
their registered owners did not match the description of JOHN ALLEN
and/or the vehicles had been junked. One vehicle – a maroon 2006
Chevrolet Uplander, Michigan license plate C7370, with a Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) of 1GNDU23L16D191508 – had a registered
owner named JOHN DOUGLAS ALLEN. JOHN ALLEN, who according
to his driver’s license is six feet tall and 200 pounds, appeared to match the
physical description of the person discussed and observed above. The
address associated with the vehicle title and registration is 2XX North St,
PO Box 271, Whittemore, MI 48770, which matches JOHN ALLEN’s
residence. The name associated with the vehicle title and registration is
JOHN DOUGLAS ALLEN. Additionally, JOHN ALLEN was born in
1946 and is white. JOHN ALLEN’s license plate also is a disability license
plate. JOHN ALLEN, as depicted in the video footage near the AT&T
Store in Sault Ste. Marie as well as in video footage from the Verizon
Store in Cheboygan, appears to have a limp.

23. Law enforcement officers conducted searches of license plate number

C7370 in a law enforcement database. The database returned positive
results for this license plate near the Mackinac Bridge. Specifically, on
August 24, 2021, at approximately 11:30 pm, this license plate was
identified at the Mackinac Bridge, traveling southbound. The vehicle with
this license plate appears to be similar to the VEHICLE (though the image
is somewhat dark since it is during nighttime). This is the same date
(August 24, 2021) that the VEHICLE was identified traveling northbound
across the Mackinac Bridge, with the California license plate 5WFE503. In
addition, as noted above, on August 25, 2021, and August 26, 2021, the
letters containing threats and demands were discovered at the cell phone

17
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.19 Filed 09/21/21 Page 19 of 26

tower sites. An image of the vehicle, taken from the law enforcement
database, appears below.

24. The law enforcement database returned another positive result for license
plate number C7370. Specifically, on September 15, 2021, at
approximately 3:39 pm, this license plate was identified traveling
northbound on the Mackinac Bridge. The vehicle with this license plate
appears to be similar to the VEHICLE. The vehicle has a trailer hitch and a
gray bumper, and is a maroon van, which are characteristics consistent
with the VEHICLE. Also, this is the same date (September 15, 2021) that a
vehicle that appears to be the VEHICLE was identified traveling
southbound across the Mackinac Bridge at approximately 9:37 pm. In
addition, as noted above, on this date, the person consistent in appearance
with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN placed the boxes with explosives at
the two locations (AT&T Store in Sault Ste. Marie and Verizon Store in
Cheboygan). Specifically, this travel relates to the crime because it shows
the VEHICLE in (and outside of) the Upper Peninsula during the same
days/times when the criminal acts described above took place. An image of
the vehicle, taken from the law enforcement database, appears below.

18
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.20 Filed 09/21/21 Page 20 of 26

25. Overall, video footage at the Mackinac Bridge shows the VEHICLE
traveling northbound on the Mackinac Bridge on August 24, 2021, with the
California license plate and traveling southbound on August 24, 2021 on
the Mackinac Bridge with the Michigan license plate. Additional video
footage shows the VEHICLE traveling northbound on the Mackinac
Bridge on September 15, 2021 with the Michigan plate and traveling
southbound on the Mackinac Bridge on September 15, 2021 with the
California plate. I submit there is probable cause to believe that the plates
were switched, given the similarities of the vehicles and individuals
driving the vehicles. Based on my training and experience, suspected
criminals engage in this type of tactic to avoid detection by law
enforcement. Specifically, the images below from the Mackinac Bridge
Authority appear to show the same VEHICLE, with different license
plates. The top image is from September 15, 2021, and the bottom image is
from August 24, 2021.
19
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.21 Filed 09/21/21 Page 21 of 26

20
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.22 Filed 09/21/21 Page 22 of 26

26. In addition, the individual who is driving the VEHICLE with the Michigan
license plate appears to have similarities with the individual who is driving
the VEHICLE with the California license plate, based on images from the
Mackinac Bridge Authority. Specifically, the individual appears to be
white and wearing a dark-colored watch on the left wrist. As indicated in
the video footage of the person consistent in appearance with and believed
to be JOHN ALLEN placing the device at the AT&T Store in Sault Ste.
Marie, the person consistent in appearance with and believed to be JOHN
ALLEN was wearing a dark-colored watch on his left wrist.

27. On September 18, 2021, I conducted research on JOHN DOUGLAS

ALLEN. I observed that JOHN DOUGLAS ALLEN is associated with the
address 2XX North Street, Whittemore, Michigan 48770 (2XX North
Street), per his Michigan driver’s license. In addition, I searched online
records from Iosco County, Michigan, which is the county in which 2XX
North Street is located. According to these records, the property owners are
JOHN ALLEN and a woman who appears to be JOHN ALLEN’S wife.

28. On September 18, 2021, the FBI obtained records regarding JOHN
DOUGLAS ALLEN from PayPal. PayPal had records on JOHN
DOUGLAS ALLEN and a woman who appears to be JOHN ALLEN’s
wife. The wife’s PayPal account was associated with a particular email
address. The FBI conducted open source research on this email address.
This email address is tied to a LinkedIn account under the name “John
Allen.” The description on the account is “Retired underground miner - TG
Chenicals [sic] Greater Saginaw – Midland - Bay City area.” As noted
above, the letters found at the cell tower sites in the Upper Peninsula had
“CMT 5101520TG” typed on them (note the “TG” in “TG Chenicals” on
the LinkedIn profile matches the “TG” that appears as the last two
characters in the content in the letters).

29. The FBI obtained a phone number associated with the PayPal accounts of
JOHN ALLEN and a woman who appears to be JOHN ALLEN’s wife. Per
subscriber records from service provider Ooma, this phone number is
linked to a customer named JOHN ALLEN, with an address of 2XX North
Street, Whittemore, Michigan 478870.

21
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.23 Filed 09/21/21 Page 23 of 26

30. According to a US Postal Service Inspector, JOHN ALLEN maintains PO

Box 271 at the post office located at 209 S Bullock Street, Whittemore, MI
48770. This address is located about 0.1 miles from 2XX North Street. The
FBI obtained records from Facebook regarding a Facebook account that is
linked to an individual named JOHN ALLEN. Additionally, the Facebook
records showed that this Facebook account is linked to the same email
address appearing in PayPal records regarding accounts associated with
JOHN ALLEN and a woman who appears to be JOHN ALLEN’s wife.
The Facebook records also featured a phone number associated with this
account. The FBI obtained information from Verizon regarding this phone
number. According to information from Verizon, this was an old phone
number linked to JOHN ALLEN, who had an address of PO Box 271,
Whittemore, MI.

31. On September 18, 2021, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance

at 2XX North Street. They observed a maroon van that appeared to be the
VEHICLE, with a license plate ending in 70. As indicated above, the
Michigan license plate of the VEHICLE is C7370 and is registered to 2XX
North Street (though the vehicle registration includes a PO Box).

32. On September 19, 2021, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance

at 2XX North Street. They observed the VEHICLE, with a Michigan
license plate C7370, at 2XX North Street.

33. On September 20, 2021, law enforcement officers observed a white male
exit 2XX North Street and enter the VEHICLE and drive away. A
comparison of the observed white male to JOHN ALLEN’s driver’s license
photograph and information confirmed that the white male who exited the
2XX North Street was JOHN ALLEN.

34. On September 20, 2021, law enforcement officers observed JOHN ALLEN
depart the 2XX North Street in the VEHICLE, go to the post office at 209
S Bullock Street, Whittemore, MI 48770, go to a gas station in
Whittemore, MI, and eventually go back to 2XX North Street, exit the
VEHICLE and enter 2XX North Street.

35. On September 20, 2021, a law enforcement officer who observed JOHN
ALLEN at 2XX North Street that day characterized JOHN ALLEN as

22
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.24 Filed 09/21/21 Page 24 of 26

having a limp. It should be noted that the person who is consistent in

appearance with JOHN ALLEN placing the packages at the AT&T and
Verizon Stores appeared to have a limp, based on video footage. Relatedly,
on September 20, 2021, a different law enforcement officer who observed
JOHN ALLEN’s travels on September 20, 2021, described above,
reviewed video footage of the person who is consistent in appearance with
JOHN ALLEN placing the CHEBOYGAN BOX. According to that law
enforcement officer, JOHN ALLEN and the person who is consistent in
appearance with JOHN ALLEN placing the CHEBOYGAN BOX had the
same gait. Specifically, JOHN ALLEN and that person raised their right
leg in the exact same manner.

36. According to records from the Michigan Department of State, JOHN

ALLEN applied in April 2014 for a disability parking placard. On the
application, the applicant was identified as “JOHN D. ALLEN,” with an
address of 2XX North Street, PO Box 271, Whittemore, MI 48770. The
application contained a signature of “JOHN D. ALLEN.”

37. On September 20, 2021, law enforcement executed a federal search

warrant at 2XX North Street, and interviewed JOHN ALLEN’s wife, and
she reviewed images from the videos referred to above and stated that she
was “95%” sure that the person consistent in appearance with and believed
to be JOHN ALLEN was in fact JOHN ALLEN, and that JOHN ALLEN
had recently made a trip to the Upper Peninsula. JOHN ALLEN’s wife
also stated that agents would find polka dot envelopes consistent with
those pictured and discussed above at 2XX North Street.

38. On September 20, 2021, law enforcement interviewed JOHN ALLEN.

After receiving his Miranda rights notification (i.e., Advice of Rights),
JOHN ALLEN voluntarily agreed to speak with the Agents. He verbally
agreed to waive his rights. He also signed a document waiving his rights.
Agents then interviewed JOHN ALLEN.

39. During the interview, JOHN ALLEN advised agents of the following,
among other things. He created about three or four letters, signed from the
Coalition for Telecommunication (CMT), and left them at cell towers in
the Upper Peninsula. He specifically recalled leaving a letter at the tower
near road US-2 and the tower in Ontonagon. All of the zip ties he used
were pre-looped. JOHN ALLEN confirmed he switched the plates on his
vehicle to avoid detection by law enforcement. Additionally, he tried to
23
Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.25 Filed 09/21/21 Page 25 of 26

disguise his vehicle further by removing the hitch attached to it. However,
JOHN ALLEN stated that he realized that he had made a mistake when he
noticed the emblem for the auto dealership on the rear of the vehicle could
not be removed. JOHN ALLEN bought the components of the bombs
about one year ago at various hardware stores. He used cash to buy these
components to avoid detection by law enforcement. For the past year, the
bombs were in a box at his property. He waited a year to build up the
courage to place them. JOHN ALLEN obtained the California license plate
referenced above at a flea market in Bay City, Michigan. JOHN ALLEN
noted he sent additional letters, addressed to AT&T and Verizon, to AT&T
headquarters. These letters were similar to the letters he left at the cell
towers in the Upper Peninsula. However, these mailed letters included
instructions on how to pay JOHN ALLEN.

40. JOHN ALLEN also advised he placed the packages at the AT&T Store in
Sault Ste. Marie and the Verizon Store in Cheboygan. He described what
he wrote on the boxes, including the reference to “Handcuff Johnny” and
the threat that next time, it would happen during business hours. “Handcuff
Johnny” referred to JOHN ALLEN’s belief that he (i.e., “Johnny”) would
end up in handcuffs as a result of his actions. JOHN ALLEN indicated that
he placed handcuffs in the packages. He also described the green fuse
sticking out of them. He did not remember which package went to which
cell phone store. After leaving the first package at the AT&T Store in Sault
Ste. Marie, JOHN ALLEN stated that he got scared because he thought
someone had seen him. But he continued to travel to Cheboygan to leave
the second package. JOHN ALLEN stated that he created and placed the
letters and bombs because he became dissatisfied with all of the immoral
content, including pornography, on phones and cable television. JOHN
ALLEN advised that he acted alone, and that there is no CMT group
composed of multiple individuals. He stated that he only made the two
bombs described above.

41. Agents showed JOHN ALLEN photographs of the person consistent in

appearance with and believed to be JOHN ALLEN discussed above. JOHN
ALLEN confirmed he was the individual depicted in these photos. JOHN
ALLEN advised that within the last few days, as of September 20, 2021,
he noticed vehicles he believed were following him. JOHN ALLEN said
that, as a result, he decided to throw away items, such as the California
license plate, in an area away from his residence.

24
 Case 1:21-mj-30443-PTM ECF No. 1, PageID.26 Filed 09/21/21 Page 26 of 26

CONCLUSION
42. Based on the aforementioned information, I respectfully submit there is
probable cause to believe that, in the Eastern District of Michigan,
Northern Division, and elsewhere, JOHN DOUGLAS ALLEN, d/o/b
XX/XX/1946, did violate Title 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (Extortion), and Title 18
U.S.C. § 844(i) (Attempted Damage or Destruction of Buildings Used in
Interstate Commerce).

43. Based on the foregoing, I request the Court issue the proposed complaint.

Respectfully submitted,

Sean Flood
Special Agent
FBI

Subscribed and sworn to before me in my presence and/or by reliable

electronic means on September 21, 2021

_________________________________________
Honorable Patricia T. Morris
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

25