Mississippi Man Arrested in Poison Letter Case

Everett Dutschke works on his mini-van in his driveway in Tupelo, Mississippi, Apr. 26, 2013.

VOA news - Federal authorities have formally charged a Mississippi man with sending poisoned letters to President Barack Obama, a U.S. senator, and a judge.

The FBI says 41-year-old Everett Dutschke was charged with attempting to use a biological weapon just hours after he was arrested Saturday. He will make his first court appearance Monday and could face life in prison if convicted.

Dutschke allegedly sent letters laced with the deadly poison ricin to President Obama, Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and Mississippi state judge Sadie Holland. Mail handling facilities near Washington intercepted the Obama and Wicker letters.

Agents arrested and later freed another suspect earlier this week after finding no evidence he was involved.

Ricin is made from castor beans and can be deadly if inhaled, swallowed, or injected.


Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Posted in: USA,violence