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Man Arrested For Leland Yee Death Threats Had Worked For Apple Co-Founder

SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) - The man arrested Tuesday on suspicion of threats against California State Senator Leland Yee had a reputation as a skilled engineer who had previously done work for Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak.

Everet Basham was due in court Friday after police spent much of the week removing dangerous chemicals, explosive materials and what officers called 'usable' bombs from his Santa Clara home. Authorities were led to the 45-year-old after tracing anti-gun control death threats made by email against Democrat Leland Yee, who represents much of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties.

Basham has a reputation as a skilled engineer who, according to his LinkedIn Profile, has worked for HP and Logitech as well as some classified work for the government. Years ago, he also did some work for Wozniak, who in 2010 endorsed Basham on the social network.

"Everett is about the brightest and most generally skilled engineer I have ever met… Everett is never dull and that keeps the rest of us inspired with forward product and design thinking," read the 2010 statement.

More recently, Wosniak told the San Francisco Chronicle that Basham "is not the sort of person who's a criminal or terrorist. He's just very brilliant."

Basham was due in Santa Clara Superior Court Friday for arraignment.

Yee said Thursday that he will not allow the threats to deter him from pursuing new gun control regulations.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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