From Our Partners
Saturday, June 25, 2022
News on Pathogens and Preparedness
Global Biodefense
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Global Biodefense
No Result
View All Result
Home Biosecurity

Man Convicted for Ricin Possession, Plans to Weaponize

by Global Biodefense Staff
June 5, 2014

An Ohio man was convicted this week for possession of the biological toxin ricin for use as a weapon, after a four-day jury trial in United States District Court in Cleveland.

Jeff Boyd Levenderis, age 58, was also convicted of one count of ricin possession and two counts of making false statements to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The evidence and testimony introduced at trial showed that Levenderis produced ricin, a deadly biological toxin, at his home in Akron, Ohio, sometime after 2000 and kept it in his freezer until it was recovered by FBI agents in January 2011. The evidence showed that Levenderis intended to make a “weaponized” form of ricin, and that he planned to use the ricin against his stepfather and against first responders who might respond to a fire Levenderis planned to set.

Testimony at trial confirmed that the substance Levenderis manufactured contained active ricin and that it contained hundreds of lethal doses if inhaled or injected.

Additionally, the jury convicted Levenderis of possessing ricin of an unauthorized type or quantity without justification and with lying to FBI agents on two occasions when Levenderis denied making ricin, claiming it was only ant poison.

“The jury’s verdict confirms the danger posed by Jeff Levenderis in our community. Levenderis produced a dangerous biological weapon that could have been used in multiple ways to harm or kill innocent people,” commented United States Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach. “Ricin is a significant threat and the evidence showed the defendant meant to use it. As a result of this conviction, our community is safer.”

From Our Partners
Tags: BioterrorismRicin

Related Posts

Dual Use Research of Concern: NIH to Host Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on Oversight Policies
Biosecurity

Dual Use Research of Concern: NIH to Host Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on Oversight Policies

June 14, 2022
Chronic Wasting Disease: The Fatal Prion Infection Killing Elk and Deer in North America
Infectious Diseases

Chronic Wasting Disease: The Fatal Prion Infection Killing Elk and Deer in North America

June 10, 2022
Pathogens

How a COVID-19 Infection Spurs Antibodies Against Common Colds

May 8, 2022
Supplemental Funding for Research at NIAID Regional Biocontainment Laboratories
Biosecurity

Supplemental Funding for Research at NIAID Regional Biocontainment Laboratories

May 5, 2022
Load More

Latest News

Poliovirus Detected in London Sewage: Response Measures Emphasize Wastewater Surveillance and Vaccination Gaps

Poliovirus Detected in London Sewage: Response Measures Emphasize Wastewater Surveillance and Vaccination Gaps

June 22, 2022
UK Health Security Agency Widens Monkeypox Vaccine Umbrella for Outbreak Control

UK Health Security Agency Widens Monkeypox Vaccine Umbrella for Outbreak Control

June 21, 2022
Influenza Research

New Way to Identify Influenza A Virus Lights Up When Specific Virus Targets are Present

June 20, 2022
Biodefense Industry News

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Opens Advanced Development Center for Vaccine Programs

June 20, 2022

Subscribe

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC