MANHATTAN — Grand jury action against a suspected Hamilton Heights bombmaker who allegedly planned to target government workers and soldiers with homemade pipe bombs has been pushed back, the suspect's lawyer confirmed.
The move adds another wrinkle to the case of Jose Pimentel, 27, who was not pursued by the FBI because of the prominent role of the NYPD's informant in the case, sources told DNAinfo's "On the Inside."
Pimentel had been scheduled to learn if he had been indicted by Monday, but the attorneys in case, the culmination of a year-long investigation, agreed to delay the deadline by around a month.
His defense lawyer, Lori Cohen, said in an email to DNAinfo that the move was made "in order for all parties to review evidence in order to have a better understanding of the case."
Police announced on Nov. 21 that Pimentel was about an hour away from completing three pipe bombs that he allegedly wanted to use on olice cars and post offices among other targets.
Cops also said that Pimentel, an alleged "lone wolf" known as Muhammad Yusuf, sympathized with al Qaeda and was an admirer of slain American-born terror leader Anwar al Awlaki.
Pimentel, whose alleged actions were slammed by his mother, is being held without bail at Rikers Island on conspiracy, weapons and terrorism charges during the extension.
He was arrested at the informant's Washington Heights apartment.
The suspect's previous lawyer maintained that the DA's office and police were trumping up their case, arguing that his client was open about his extremist views.
The DA's office declined comment.
