Accused Beaumont bomber enters motion for conditional guilty plea

BEAUMONT, Texas — The man accused of setting off a bomb outside a church and leaving a similar device outside a Beaumont Starbucks in April 2018 entered a motion for a conditional guilty plea. 

Jonathan Matthew Torres, 41, was ruled competent to stand trial on January 16. He initially pleaded not guilty during an arraignment February 12. 

His defense lawyer, Ryan Gertz, also recently entered several motions to dismiss the charges against him. 

Here's the most recent filings in Torres' case: 

• Motion for Leave to Enter a Conditional Plea
• Motion to Dismiss Count One of the Indictment
• Motion to Dismiss Count Two of the Indictment 
• Motion to Dismiss Count Three of the Indictment

"We do not have a plea deal," Gertz said. "We have filed motions to dismiss the indictment on jurisdictional grounds, but we also filed a motion to enter a conditional guilty plea if he does not dismiss the indictment, and that will permit us to appeal if he rules against us."

"Each of the allegations is flawed and should be dismissed, but for different reasons," the motion filed in federal court on May 30 argued.

The motion that Gertz filed also stated apart from the existence of the Austin Bomber and the fear associated with the March 2018 bombings, the postcards that Torres allegedly sent to Beaumont Police taunting investigators, asking 'DO YOU WANT BMT TO BECOME ANOTHER AUSTIN' had "no threatening meaning."

Torres was arrested May 25, 2018 after a federal raid at his house in North Beaumont. 

MORE INFO | Press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office May 25, 2018

Both devices were inside USPS Priority Mail boxes and contained explosive material and a triggering mechanism using a mousetrap designed to go off when the box was opened, along with small nails and screws. 

The first device, was left on the patio of the Dowlen Road Starbucks, did not detonate. Employees found the box on top of a trashcan on the patio mid-morning April 24, 2018, but the package was not opened until the early morning hours of April 26, 2018.

No one was injured when the device went off at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church early in the morning May 10, 2018. 

Here's related coverage on this case: 

What we know about Beaumont bombing suspect Jonathan Torres

Beaumont bomb suspect sent note to police saying 'DO YOU WANT BMT TO BECOME ANOTHER AUSTIN?'

Beaumont Police, FBI, ATF agents conduct 'operation' at north end Beaumont home Thursday night

Former roommate John Hancock speaks out about living with suspected Beaumont bomber Jonathan Torres

Attorney representing suspected Beaumont bomber believes there is no actual evidence

Accused Beaumont bomber pleads not guilty during arraignment

Beaumont bombing suspect Jonathan Torres ruled competent to stand trial

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