During questioning, Saaem told investigators he intended to plant the beans and the Lilies of the Valley around his apartment for decoration. He claimed he accidentally ordered 100 packets instead of one, and his interest in buying castor beans is related to an interest in gardening. He also made misleading statements about his knowledge of ricin.
Acquiring castor beans is not illegal, but large purchases such as Saaem’s 800 beans can trigger investigations. During his sentencing hearing, Saaem said he never made the poison, nor did he intend to harm anyone, the Boston Globe reported. He claimed that he was “scared and overwhelmed” when federal officers approached him about his 2015 purchases, which “led to my poor choice of not telling the truth.” His attorney argued that Saaem never possessed the poison and that his behavior was best described as “misplaced curiosity.” ...
The government initially sought a sentence of one year in federal prison, but the judge opted for probation since Saaem is the primary caregiver for his three-year-old son, who has significant medical conditions. The judge said he believed Saaem “is extremely remorseful for his conduct.”
“Dr. Ali Saaem showed callous disregard for public safety and federal authority,” United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins said in a statement. “This prosecution sends a clear message that the attempted procurement of deadly weapons or toxins will be taken as a direct threat against the safety and security of American communities. Thanks to the swift action by authorities, no one was harmed.”