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Second ricin suspect Everett Dutschke due in court | Second ricin suspect Everett Dutschke due in court |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Mississippi martial arts instructor is due in court on charges relating to ricin-laced letters that were sent to President Obama, a senator and a judge. | A Mississippi martial arts instructor is due in court on charges relating to ricin-laced letters that were sent to President Obama, a senator and a judge. |
James Everett Dutschke, 41, has been charged with possessing a biological agent with intent to use as a weapon. | James Everett Dutschke, 41, has been charged with possessing a biological agent with intent to use as a weapon. |
He was detained on Sunday, days after police arrested and then released another man, Paul Kevin Curtis. | He was detained on Sunday, days after police arrested and then released another man, Paul Kevin Curtis. |
Investigators, some in hazardous materials suits, searched Mr Dutschke's home, business and vehicles. | |
The Tupelo man had reportedly been under surveillance. | |
First suspect framed? | First suspect framed? |
According to an FBI news release, Mr Dutschke has been charged with "knowingly developing, producing, stockpiling, transferring, acquiring, retaining and possessing a biological agent, toxin and delivery system, for use as a weapon, to wit: ricin". | According to an FBI news release, Mr Dutschke has been charged with "knowingly developing, producing, stockpiling, transferring, acquiring, retaining and possessing a biological agent, toxin and delivery system, for use as a weapon, to wit: ricin". |
A lawyer for Mr Dutschke said her client was co-operating with the authorities. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. | A lawyer for Mr Dutschke said her client was co-operating with the authorities. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. |
The letters were sent to the president, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker and Judge Sadie Holland on 8 April. | The letters were sent to the president, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker and Judge Sadie Holland on 8 April. |
On 17 April, authorities arrested Mr Curtis, a 45-year-old local Elvis impersonator. But Mr Curtis was released from jail and charges were dropped six days later. | On 17 April, authorities arrested Mr Curtis, a 45-year-old local Elvis impersonator. But Mr Curtis was released from jail and charges were dropped six days later. |
No evidence of ricin was found in FBI searches of Mr Curtis' home. | No evidence of ricin was found in FBI searches of Mr Curtis' home. |
The letters were signed: "I am KC and I approve this message." Mr Curtis, who said he had been framed, often ended posts on his Facebook page in a similar manner. | The letters were signed: "I am KC and I approve this message." Mr Curtis, who said he had been framed, often ended posts on his Facebook page in a similar manner. |
Mr Dutschke and Mr Curtis reportedly knew each other, and Mr Curtis said the two men had discussed publishing a book on an alleged conspiracy Mr Curtis believed he had discovered, to sell body parts on the black market. | |
But the pair later fell out. | |
Authorities began investigating Mr Dutschke after Mr Curtis' defence lawyers gave them a list of people they thought might have a reason to hurt their client. | Authorities began investigating Mr Dutschke after Mr Curtis' defence lawyers gave them a list of people they thought might have a reason to hurt their client. |