Deadly ricin linked to Obama letter suspect
Iran Press TV
Wed May 1, 2013 3:19PM GMT
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has found traces of ricin at the business of the Mississippi man accused of sending poisoned letters to US officials.
An FBI report released Tuesday showed that traces of the deadly poison had been found on Everett Dutschke’s personal belongings including on a dust mask and a filter containing items vacuumed from the floor of his martial arts studio in the US city of Tupelo.
The FBI also extracted information from the suspect’s home including an internet order for castor beans - from which ricin is derived - computer records that show ricin-related downloads and text messages, and documents that appear to come from the same printer as the ricin-laced letters.
“The FBI is now conducting further forensic examination for the purpose of identifying trace evidence, residues and signatures of production that could provide evidence to support the investigation,” she an FBI spokesperson.
A surveillance team said they had monitored Dutschke removing several items and dumping them in a bin nearby during the preliminary investigation.
On April 27, authorities arrested and charged Dutschke with the possession and use of a biological agent as a weapon, which was sent to a number of US officials including US President Barack Obama, Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and Mississippi Judge Sadie Holland.
His arrest came days after US prosecutors dropped charges against Paul Kevin Curtis, another Mississippi man who is suspected of being framed by Dutschke.
Dutschke faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a USD 250,000 fine if found guilty.
GMA/JR
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