Akron Man Convicted Of Ricin Weapon Possession

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Akron’s Jeff Boyd Levenderis, 58, has been found guilty of possessing ricin with the intent to use it as a weapon. The conviction follows a four-day jury trial in Cleveland, Ohio.

The evidence presented at trial revealed that Levenderis produced ricin at his Akron home and intended to create a weaponized form of the deadly toxin. His plans included using ricin against his stepfather and against first responders who might respond to a fire he planned to set as part of a suicide scheme.

Levenderis was also charged with making false statements to FBI agents, having denied the existence of ricin in his possession, claiming it was merely ant poison. The jury confirmed that the substance contained hundreds of lethal doses if inhaled or injected.

United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, emphasized the severity of Levenderis’s actions: ‘Levenderis produced a dangerous biological weapon that could have been used to harm or kill innocent people. Ricin is a significant threat, and the evidence showed the defendant meant to use it.’

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony praised the jury for their outstanding work: ‘Levenderis brought extreme danger to our community by producing and weaponizing this deadly substance.’ Levenderis will be sentenced at a later date.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd, Om Kakani, and Erin Creegan of the National Security Division of the United States Department of Justice. The conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI.

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