Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Attempt to Make Ricin

An Arizona man has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he tried to make ricin, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, June 8, 2005).

Casey Cutler, 25, now faces a sentence of 2 1/2 to five years in prison. He is due for sentencing April 10.

In his plea agreement, Cutler said he tried to make ricin after being attacked in April 2005. He planned to use the agent on other would-be attackers.

According to the plea document, Cutler obtained a recipe for ricin from the Internet, but lacked the castor beans or castor plant needed. Instead, he used castor oil. 

Cutler ended up with a white substance that he wore in a vial around his neck. Initial tests came up positive for ricin, but additional testing was negative (Associated Press, Feb. 9).

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