Fla. man pleads guilty to having ricin

contra costa times ^ | 5/3/5 | Associated Press

[SmithL]

OCALA, Fla. - A man arrested in January after police found the lethal toxin ricin at his home pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court.

Steven Michael Ekberg, 22, faces up to 10 years in prison for unlawful possession of the substance. He was arrested after someone phoned in a tip to police. Agents who searched his home found a cardboard box of chemicals, including three vials that tested positive for ricin. They also found a submachine gun and two semiautomatic rifles.

Authorities have previously declined to comment on how Ekberg got the ricin, a toxin derived from castor beans.

As little as 500 micrograms of ricin, about the size of the head of a pin, can be fatal, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Defense attorney David Mengers said Ekberg "neither did nor ever intended to harm anyone. I think all parties will concede he is not either a terrorist or a potential terrorist."

A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.

[SmithL]

I am SO glad that his lawyer thinks that he's not a threat.

[vpintheak]

Yeah, just another good dfecent citizen who--oops--just decided to gather up ricin. What's the matter with you people? He was just an ordinary joe, nothing to get exited about... sheesh. (Massive amounts of sarcasm laced throughout post)

[softwarecreator]

I think all parties will concede he is not either a terrorist or a potential terrorist.

Nah, everyone has submachine guns and ricin lying around the house.  

[SWAMPSNIPER]

There are castor beans growing all over Florida. They used to be a popular landscape plant.

[Mears]

Isn't it still OK to grow Castor Beans which is the source of ricin?

Ricin is from an inner hard kernel in the bean,I think. Could anyone extract the poison and if you can,why is it legal to plant the beans?

[nw_arizona_granny]

ping

[stboz]

Got that right. It used to grow in our yard. Couldn't kill it with anything.

[SAJ]

OK, so this chap is a schmuck. Ricin? Good grief...given a supply of castor beans, any 2nd year chemistry student can produce this particular poison, likely enough on the stovetop if a weak version of ricin is desired (disclaimer: I've never tried making ricin or quasi-ricin or pseudo-ricin, whatever, on the stovetop, but it really shouldn't be too difficult). A distillation system and a good filter, not much needed at all -- well, a shielded hood WOULD come quite useful...no more hints.

Yep, our gov't ''protecting'' citizens yet once again. Utter nonsense. With a bit of searching, anyone can find a **reasonable** production procedure on the Internet (hint: you'd better know your onions about chemistry, or you WILL wind up very dead).

Why this idiot wants to have a supply of ricin on hand is absolutely beyond me unless he's intent on poisoning someone.

[texasflower]

Surely you aren't questioning his lawyer's credibility? :-)

[SmithL]

Who me?

[Dan(9698)]

His lawyer is a qualified phycologist, chemist, and all around mind reader.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Exactly, but the stuff is all over the place. As Kids, We were warned not to eat the beans, but I don't remember anyone even getting sick. Anyone going to the effort to concentrate the toxin is up to something.

[SAJ]

Couldn't agree more, m'friend. This should be what the lawyer types call prima facie proof of guilt...but (sigh) it won't go down that way.

I'm a trader, and although I've far better trades available right now (and I'm waiting eagerly -- read: greedily -- for the NG mkt to open tomorrow at 9:00 am Central time), I'd cheerfully place a very large trade on Tradesports or some equivalent site that this clown will walk the charges, if indeed any charges are actually brought and prosecuted.

[texasflower]

:-)

[The Red Zone]

Perhaps he intended to coat the bullets with it?

[piasa]

A lot of trouble to go through to kill citrus rats.

[Calpernia]

Recognition, Management and Surveillance of Ricin-Associated Illness

Power Point overview - Introduction and Background of Ricin:

• Clinical Manifestation
• Differential Diagnosis and Clinical Diagnosis
• Decontamination and Personal Protective Equipment
• Clinical Management
• Public Health Surveillance and Reporting

Web Cast - Real Player

[WestCoastGal]

Thanks NWG, looks like another home grown terrorist.

Not just your usual young man's toys......[Agents who searched his home found a cardboard box of chemicals, including three vials that tested positive for ricin. They also found a submachine gun and two semiautomatic rifles.]