Man Pleads Guilty To Planting Bag Of Explosives Next To Downtown Building

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A man accused of leaving a bag of explosives next to PNC Plaza has pleaded guilty.

Fifty-three-year-old Matthew Michanowicz pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms law.

According to police, Michanowicz was seen riding up to PNC Plaza on a bike with a backpack in May of last year. Surveillance footage allegedly shows him getting off the bike, looking around and walking over to bushes, where he placed the backpack.

Police got reports of a suspicious package in the area the next day, and they found the backpack. They say multiple explosives were inside.

According to court documents, when police confronted Michanowicz, he admitted to being downtown to look at the damage from the riots, but he denied planting the backpack even after police showed him photos and videos of the incident.

Scheduling is set for Dec. 13. He could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.