In recent months, approximately
40 individuals have been charged with anthrax hoaxes and threats
with penalties ranging from a maximum of 5 years imprisonment
and up to $250,000 fine. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller warned
that the FBI has and will continue to vigorously investigate
and arrest those individuals who commit these crimes. Mueller
said "we will not tolerate these serious violations of federal
law. These investigations place a severe strain on law enforcement
and public health resources and violators will be prosecuted
to the fullest extent of the law."
Since September 11th, the FBI
and other federal agencies have investigated and charged individuals
throughout the nation on several anthrax hoax and threat violations
including but not limited to using the mail to send threatening
communications, obstructing the mail, and making a threat to
use a weapon of mass destruction. Some of the notable cases include:
- U.S. v. Frederick Champion -
Champion allegedly mailed a letter to a U.S. Senator's home office
in El Dorado, Arkansas, temporarily closing the office with several
law enforcement authorities responding.
- U.S. v. Christopher Cooper -
Cooper, former Los Angeles City fire captain was charged with
allegedly mailing threatening communication to his ex-wife's
attorney.
- U.S. v. Justo Saldana - Saldana
allegedly sent a letter filled with baby powder to the City of
Long Beach with a note stating it was a joke.
- U.S. v. Jose Fernandez - Fernandez
allegedly mailed an envelope to the Internal Revenue Service
in Fresno, California which contained an article about anthrax.
- U.S. v. Michael Murphy - Murphy
allegedly wrote anthrax on an envelope that contained white granular
substance and a birthday card for his mother.
- U.S. v. Faryniarz - Faryniarz
allegedly reported to federal authorities that he found a white
powdery substance on his desk at Connecticut's Department of
Environmental Protection Agency along with a handwritten note
when in fact it was a hoax.
- U.S. v. Fred Forcellina - Forcellina
allegedly threatened a "silent war" against the U.S.
and three courthouses in southern Connecticut to a 911 dispatcher.
- U.S. v. Jacob De La Fuente -
De La Fuente allegedly sent a threatening letter to his ex-girlfriend
which included a white powdery substance causing the Postal Service
Industry Processing and Distribution Center to evacuate and accumulate
over $36,550 in lost revenue.
- U.S. v.s Jeremy Theus - Theus
was charged with allegedly perpetrating an anthrax hoax by opening
a neighbor's mail before it had been received and putting in
a harmless white powder.
- U.S. v. Michael Doherty - Doherty
allegedly informed the Rock Island Arsenal Security personnel
repeatedly that he had a truck load of anthrax and after being
arrested claimed it was a joke.
- U.S. v. Clarence Lindsey - Lindsey,
a former United States Postal Service employee, allegedly deposited
a threatening communication in the mail and allegedly wrote "Anthrax
Inclosed" (sic) on the outside of the package.
- U.S. v. David Feddersen - Fedderson
allegedly informed a Social Security Administration Office employee
that he was going to bring back a bowl of anthrax since he couldn't
get a resolution on his disability payments.
- U.S. v. Alemash T. Alemayehu
- Alemayehu allegedly sent an email to an FBI website which collects
tips on terrorist activity. The email stated he was producing
more anthrax that will kill thousands of people.
- U.S. v. Robert Gibson - Gibson,
a former Home Depot employee, allegedly sent an envelope to the
Home Depot in Frazier, PA, containing a white powdery substance
and a note " anthrax! anthrax!" The evacuation prompted
a full emergency response and over one million dollar loss in
revenue.
The public is encouraged to contact
their local FBI office if they have any information regarding
potential anthrax threats and hoaxes.