Federal Indictment Charges Man With Using Explosive Device to Damage Suburban Chicago Restaurant

CHICAGO — A man has been arrested on a federal criminal charge for allegedly using an explosive device to damage a suburban Chicago restaurant.

DIEGO VARGAS, 24, is charged with one count of maliciously attempting to damage and destroy a building by means of an explosive device, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  Vargas allegedly used the explosive device at the Egg Harbor Cafe in Naperville, Ill., on June 1, 2020.

The federal charge is punishable by a minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years.

Vargas, whose most recent address is unknown, was arrested Wednesday night.  A detention hearing is scheduled for today at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Heather K. McShain in Chicago.

The indictment and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  The Naperville Police Department and Aurora Police Department provided valuable assistance.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.