Global Security Newswire

The four elderly Georgia men accused of scheming to build crude bombs and develop deadly biological toxins for use in attacks against government officials are scheduled on Wednesday to submit in federal court a request to be released on bail, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Nov. 10; Greg Bluestein, Associated Press I/Boston Globe, Nov. 16).

Samuel Crump and Ray Adams are accused of taking steps to produce ricin, which is derived from castor beans, is lethal in trace amounts and has no known antidote. Their alleged co-conspirators in a far-right Georgia militia group -- Dan Roberts and Frederick Thomas -- are alleged to have planned to purchase bomb-making materials.

Recordings were aired in court on Tuesday of the men talking together about their desire to kill government officials, but defense lawyers said the audio did not demonstrate anything more than their constitutionally protected political opinions later viewed out of context. The defendants' attorneys also questioned the trustworthiness of the informant who taped their conversation. The informant is facing charges of child molestation.

Officials said the informant reached out to the FBI in the summer of 2010 and that the bureau was assured of his credibility.

The accused militia members were apprehended earlier this month shortly after officials found evidence that the men were attempting to produce ricin at Adams's residence. A container of castor beans seized from the house subsequently tested positive for the presence of ricin.

"Prior to that there had been a lot of talk. Once we determined they had the main ingredient, it significantly increased our concern," FBI Atlanta office domestic terrorism supervisor Doug Korneski said.

Adams' attorney, Barry Lombardo, said the only evidence against Adams was a couple of "harmless" castor bean plants.

Dan Summer, who represents Crump, said his client was only bragging about being able to make ricin.

"Mr. Crump was puffing, bragging," Summer said. "Isn't that what he was doing, talking smack?" (Greg Bluestein, Associated Press II/Google News, Nov. 15).