COCOA, Fla. – The man who called himself “the donation bomber” is no longer facing charges for bringing suspicious packages to two Brevard County churches.
On Mother’s Day, the bomb squad rushed to Cocoa when those packages were discovered at Clearlake Baptist Church and Shield of Faith Ministries.
Both churches are on Minnie Street.
Surveillance showed the man dropping off the packages, but now the state attorney’s office says what was written in them was so confusing and vague it doesn’t think Tim Stamant, 64, actually planned on blowing up the churches.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey called the packages “dangerous” and “idiotic,” but the state attorney’s office concluded Stamant was just sharing his political views.
The state attorney’s office shared a statement with News 6′s James Sparvero that reads, “In this case, our ability to prove that Mr. Stamant committed the offense of making a written threat to kill was hindered by the confusing language that lacked a clear and specific threat to a person or group. Mr. Stamant’s statements to law enforcement when interviewed claimed his intent was not to offer a threat, but to educate organizations on his personal political views. While it is deeply concerning that Mr. Stamant identified himself as the ‘donation bomber’ and hand-drawn images of bombs appeared on the materials, they didn’t contain sufficient evidence to overcome his anticipated defense of protected speech and prove the case at trial. While the activities of the churches were impacted by Stamant’s actions, both pastors understood the circumstances that produced this outcome and offered forgiveness and prayers on Stamant’s behalf. Going forward, our office would consider any future occurrence of similar activity by Mr. Stamant as evidence of intent to commit a criminal offense required to prosecute him.”
Pastor Richard Russ of Shield of Faith Ministries responded to the decision.
“If they have no evidence, you have no case,” Russ said. “All the writings were disturbing, but I don’t think that was enough evidence to condemn him.”
With his charges of making threats and disrupting church now dismissed, Stamant is out of jail.
Monday, he told Sparvero the packages and his notes were intended to rally people to his beliefs and join him in making donations to political causes.
Stamant said he won’t be dropping off any more packages.
“Don’t do it again,” Russ said. “He needs help — mental and emotionally.”
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