Local Man Charged With Possession Of Chemical Weapon -Chemist Is Former U.S. Army Employee

thekansascitychannel ^

[chance33_98]

Local Man Charged With Possession Of Chemical Weapon

Chemist Is Former U.S. Army Employee

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --

An Independence man has been charged with possessing a chemical weapon, but prosecutors won't say what he allegedly may have planned to do with the potassium cyanide.

The chemical was discovered in his apartment in February, authorities said.

A federal grand jury in Kansas City indicted Hessam Ghane, 53. He's a naturalized U.S. citizen from Iran who holds a doctorate in chemistry, KMBC's Peggy Breit reported.

The indictment was unsealed Friday, when Ghane was arrested and made his first appearance in U.S. District Court.

Authorities originally went to the Timber Creek Apartments, where Ghane lived, because the suspect was distraught, Briet reported.

"Once we started to recognize we had certain issues we contacted the FBI. But initially we were checking on the well-being of the person," said Capt. Gregg Wilkinson of the Independence Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Todd Graves says prosecutors don't believe Ghane was involved in a conspiracy.

Graves said he could not say what Ghane's intention was, but added that prosecutors had not accused Ghane with any specific plan to use the chemical.

The indictment accuses Ghane of possessing 177 grams of potassium cyanide, which can cause death. Graves did not specify the number of people that could be hurt by that much of the chemical, but said it was potentially lethal to multiple individuals.

Breit reported that the chemical is the same one used in gas chambers to execute prisoners.

This is only the second charge of its kind in the country, KMBC reported. If convicted, Ghane faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Ghane was being held without bond late Friday afternoon and did not yet have an attorney. His next hearing was set for Tuesday.

Ghane, a chemist, was employed with the Army Corps of Engineers until 1993. He also taught chemistry at Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, Mo., in 1996 and 1997.

[Delphinium]

Very scary!

[Grut]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't potassium cyanide pretty widely used for many legitimate purposes?

[Angelus Errare]

I think I know someone who may have had this guy in class.

Scary stuff.

[knarf]

Just a guess with nothing more to go on but this article ....

In '93, shortly after x42 came into office (with its bwitch ... {not a typo}), Ghane, probably a goodguy, decided to get out of what he saw as a major problem to him because of his nationality.
Somehow he figured a teaching job would keep him close to what he likes to do, but probably figured he may still end up in a dangerous position (al quada?), so he took some hitler candy in the event he was put in a life threatening position.

I don't know ... just trying to believe that not every middle easterner is a bad guy.

Guess I'll write a book.

[steplock]

"177 grams of potassium cyanide"

Potassium Cyanide is a common rat poison.

177 grams is a small quantity to be called a weapon of mass destruction. Most likely the feds have this guy on something else and do not want to let that out into the public. < My opinion: bad move if true = makes them look foolish by lying >

1 gram = .002205 pounds = .03528 ounces
177 grams = 6.24oz = 0.39 lb

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/cyanide/erc151-50-8.asp

Other uses:

Potassium Cyanide is an example of a simple salt formed from cyanide. Another example of a salt formed from cyanide is sodium cyanide. Cyanide salts are mainly used in electroplating, the production of organic chemicals, in photographic development, in the extraction of gold and silver from ore, in the making of plastics, and as an insecticide. A specific use of the potassium cyanide salt as a chemical for gas chamber executions. When potassium cyanide mixes with water, it produces hydrogen cyanide which is extremely poisonous. The hydrogen cyanide enables the person's hemoglobin to perform, which prevents oxygen to the cells. This use of potassium cyanide can be controversial since not all people believe in the death penalty ("Cyanide Compounds Chemical Backgrounder"). Other specific uses Potassium Cyanide involve death in some sort. Although not used as frequently as other uses of potassium cyanide due to its possible harm to humans, potassium cyanide is sometimes used as an insecticide. Another use of cyanide that many people can be against is as a way of suicide. People can technically have their own gas chamber executions. Taking a pure cyanide pill can be deadly when swallowed as well ("Cyanide Compounds Chemical Backgrounder").

[Springman]

I know that Sodium cyanide is used
in Zinc plating, I'm sure that
potassium cyanide would also have
other uses.

[Swordmaker]

I'm SHOCKED, I tell you, SHOCKED!!!

Imagine, a Chemist possessing chemicals.

What next? Will plumbers have LEAD? It's poisonous, too... you know. Maybe Druggists will be actually selling DRUGS! Just think, demolition experts might even be found owning explosives, for Pete's sake (Say, anybody know who "Pete" is?)!

Oh, the crime of it all... there oughta be a LAW forbidding this... Only qualified chemists should own chemicals... Oh, wait a second... uh... oh, yeah...

[Swordmaker]

People can technically have their own gas chamber executions.

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Impress your friends, get rid of bullies! The Mattel (r) Junior Gas Chamber Kit contains: Restraint Straps, Chair, Acid Tank, ventilation fan, and direct phone to the Governor's office.

(Some Assembly required, batteries and Potassium Cyanide not included. Phone may require activation: see your local service provider.)

COMING SOON from MATTEL(r) in time for Christmas!

Electric Chair, Lethal Injection, and Firing Squad Kits.

[freedom44]

More than likely he's innocent and his intentions were not something related to terrorism.

Being he's an Iranian immigrant he's more than likely sympathic to the Shah's era and not related to terror.

[templar]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't potassium cyanide pretty widely used for many legitimate purposes?

All kinds of industrial uses. It's a really common chemical and the amount he had is pretty insignificant for use as a weapon (although it could be readily used to carry out a murder or suicide). Almost anyone can get their hands on significant quantities if they are willing to look around for it. It's not all that dangerous to handle unless you ingest it or mix it with an acid. It's also really easy to make from stuff you probably have laying around in the house or barn if you want to make an untraceable aquisition.

[sistergoldenhair]

All kinds of industrial uses.

Correct.
And it can be purchased in quantities much larger than 177g.
If this guy was distraught, he might have been able to harm himself.
A chemical weapon is a stretch.