Akron Man Sentenced for Ricin Possession

Jeff Boyd Levenderis, the 58-year-old Akron resident, has been meted out a six-year federal prison sentence for his chilling possession of ricin, a deadly biological toxin.

The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, and FBI Cleveland office’s Special Agent in Charge, Stephen D. Anthony, confirmed Levenderis’ conviction on four counts: possession of a biological toxin as a weapon, possession of ricin, and two counts of making false statements to FBI agents.

According to trial evidence, Levenderis produced ricin at his Akron home post-2000, storing it in his freezer. His intention was clear: to create a weaponized form of the substance. The plan, as he laid it out, included using the ricin against both his stepfather and first responders who might attend to a fire set by Levenderis as part of an intended suicide.

The substance recovered from Levenderis’ possession was confirmed to contain active ricin, capable of causing death through inhalation or injection if not neutralized. The evidence indicated that hundreds of lethal doses were present in the sample.

Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Om Kakani, along with Trial Attorney Erin Creegan from the National Security Division of the DOJ, prosecuted the case. The FBI investigation led to Levenderis’ conviction.

This disturbing case serves as a stark reminder of the potential threat posed by ricin and the seriousness with which federal authorities treat such offenses.

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