Authorities have found two additional letters a Navy veteran in Utah sent to members of President Donald Trump's administration containing the substance from which the poison ricin is derived, federal prosecutors said in an indictment unsealed Thursday.
William Clyde Allen III, 39, was charged with mailing envelopes to the CIA director and the Air Force secretary as well as Trump and other top officials, according to court documents.
Allen pleaded not guilty to the seven charges, including threatening to use a biological toxin as a weapon. His attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
The additional letters containing ground castor beans were intercepted shortly after authorities found four similar envelopes mailed to Trump, the FBI director, secretary of defense and the Navy's top officer, authorities said.
All the letters had only the phrase "Jack and the Missile Bean Stock Powder," said David Backman, criminal chief for the U.S. Attorney for Utah.
They were all mailed the same day and had Allen's return address, prosecutors said. Allen told investigators he wanted to "send a message," but did not elaborate on his motivations.
A judge decided Monday to keep Allen in jail ahead of trial, despite a request that he's needed at home to care for his wife, who suffers from a spinal condition and uses a wheelchair.
He faces up to life in prison if convicted on the biological-toxin charge. A count of mailing a threat against the president carries up to five years in prison, and five counts of mailing a threat to a U.S. officer are each punishable by up to 10 years.
Authorities said the envelopes were mailed to the president, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the Navy's top officer, Adm. John Richardson, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and CIA Director Gina Haspel.
The letters were intercepted and no one was hurt. They all tested positive for ricin.
Allen was arrested Oct. 2 at his house in the small city of Logan, north of Salt Lake City. He told investigators he bought hundreds of castor beans on eBay to "defend our nation" if "World War III broke out."
Allen served in the Navy from 1998 to 2002. He has a criminal record in Utah including child abuse and attempted aggravated assault.
He also has a history of sending threatening emails to then-President Barack Obama, the Air Force and the state of Utah, investigators said.
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SUPREME COURT-TRUMP-CAPITOL RIOT — AP Explains the latest election subversion case before the Supreme Court: Whether Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Includes an AP reporter debrief from last week's hearing on whether federal prosecutors went too far in bringing obstruction charges against hundreds of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Newsroom Ready and Consumer Ready edits sent on April 16.
ELECTION 2024-US TERRITORIES — What to know about living in U.S. territories ahead of the 2024 election. Newsroom Ready and Consumer Ready edits.
7 a.m. — Live US Network Pool Cameras and Live AP Cameras outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington where justices are hearing arguments on presidential immunity. Live cameras on protesters amid supporters outside, along with live reaction from lawyers. Audio livestream also booked.
7 a.m. — Live AP Camera coverage outside of Trump Tower in New York is planned.
8:30 a.m. — Live NY Trump Pool coverage outside of the courthouse in New York is planned.
ELECTION 2024-PENNSYLVANIA-HALEY — When Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign, she refused to endorse Donald Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination — and so did some of her supporters in Pennsylvania. SENT: 480 words, photo.
BIDEN-FUNDRAISER — President Joe Biden is scheduled to attend a campaign fundraiser in Irvington, New York, on Thursday night. Hosts include Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. AP does not expect this event to be open to the media, but it will be traveling with the president and it will provide video edits and Live coverage if there is breaking news.
ELECTION 2024-DECISION NOTES-PUERTO RICO — Puerto Rico will hold a Democratic presidential primary Sunday, the only opportunity for Democrats on the island to officially weigh in on the race for the White House. Sent April 24: 970 words, photos.
SUPREME COURT-TRUMP-CAPITOL RIOT — Supreme Court justices seem to agree on a basic truth about the American system of government: No one is above the law, not even the president. But former President Donald Trump and his legal team are putting that truth to the test when the high court takes up Trump’s bid to avoid prosecution over his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. SENT: 780 words, photo. UPCOMING: 1,100 words after 10 a.m. arguments. With TRUMP-CAPITOL RIOT-LISTENERS’ GUIDE — What to listen for during Supreme Court arguments on Trump and presidential immunity. Sent April 24.
TRUMP-HUSH MONEY — A judge is weighing whether to hold Donald Trump in contempt of court for what prosecutors say have been repeated violations of the gag order in his hush money criminal trial. Jurors are also expected to hear more testimony from David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, about the tabloid’s involvement in a scheme to benefit Trump. SENT: 650 words, photos. UPCOMING: 990 words after trial resumes at 9:30 a.m.
BIDEN — President Biden heads to upstate New York to tout his administration’s efforts to promote computer chip manufacturing in the U.S. SENT: 760 words, photos. UPCOMING: Speech at 2 p.m. Video edits and Live planned.
FAKE ELECTORS-INDICTMENT-ARIZONA — An Arizona grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump ’s chief of staff Mark Meadows, lawyer Rudy Giuliani and 16 others for their efforts to use so-called fake electors to try to overturn Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. SENT: 1,200 words, photos, audio. With ELECTION 2020-MICHIGAN-FAKE ELECTORS — Investigator said Trump, allies were uncharged co-conspirators in plot to overturn Michigan election.
ELECTION 2024-BIDEN-TIKTOK — President Joe Biden’s signing of legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S. runs counter to his campaign’s embrace of the platform and outreach to influencers. The president is also facing criticism from some avid users of the app. SENT: 1,300 words, photos.
ELECTION-2024-BIDEN-UNION — President Joe Biden picked up the endorsement of North America’s Building Trades Unions where the president and his allies set out to dismantle Republican Donald Trump’s reputation as a successful real estate developer. SENT: 380 words, photos, audio.
Sun., April 28 — Puerto Rico Democratic presidential primary.
May 7 — Indiana presidential primary.
May 14 — Maryland presidential primary, Nebraska presidential primary and West Virginia presidential primary.
May 21 — California 20th Congressional District special election, Kentucky presidential primary, Oregon presidential primary.
May 23 — Idaho Democratic Caucuses.
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President Joe Biden speaks before signing a $95 billion Ukraine aid package that also includes support for Israel, Taiwan, and other allies, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
