Delaware Pipe Bomber Sentenced to 105 Months of Federal Prison

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Delaware

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Mark Consiglio, 49, of Elsmere, Delaware was sentenced today in federal court in Delaware for his role in detonating a pipe bomb at a home in Elsmere, Delaware.

According to court documents and statements made in open court, Consiglio detonated a pipe bomb at his estranged wife’s residence in the early morning hours of March 12, 2018 before fleeing the scene. The pipe bomb was thrown at the living room window and bounced back after damaging the window. The pipe bomb then exploded in the front yard of the residence. Two occupants were home at the time of the pipe bomb explosion, one of whom was in the living room. Shrapnel from the explosion was found inside the living room.

After conducting a search warrant at Consiglio’s house, four more pipe bombs were recovered as well as a .38 caliber revolver; materials used to make a pipe bomb, including PVC, fuse wire, ball bearings, and gunpowder; a World War II-era flare launcher that had been modified to accept 9mm ammunition; and a book titled “CIA improvised sabotage devices” that was dog-eared to the page on “incendiary devices.” At the time he set off the pipe bomb, Consiglio was already facing state charges for threatening to kill his wife. The government’s court filings noted that Consiglio had a history of violence and threats of violence both toward his estranged wife and other members of the community.

In sentencing Consiglio to 105 months of prison, Judge Andrews noted Consiglio’s history of violence and stated, “During his entire adult life Defendant has threatened and assaulted others.” The statutory maximum sentence for the offense was 10 years of imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Weiss commented, “The defendant’s brazen and violent act was intended to harm and terrorize. Only sheer luck prevented anyone from being injured or killed. We will continue to prosecute violent criminals to the fullest extent of the law in an effort to make our streets and communities safer. We are thankful to our federal and state partners for their hard work in investigating this case.”

“Elsmere residents deserve to live in safe neighborhoods, and we are committed to identifying, investigating, and incarcerating anyone who threatens the safety of these communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada. “We are proud to see that the thorough work done by our Special Agents and local and state investigative partners has resulted in bringing this violent offender to justice.”

This case was investigated by the ATF Wilmington Field Office in coordination with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Elsmere Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also thanks the New Castle County Police Department for its assistance. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Ibrahim.

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