Abel Keith Fulton, Ricin Possession, Texas 2016

Henderson County Man Guilty of Unlawfully Possessing Ricin

A 19-year-old Athens, Texas, man has pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of ricin in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers today.

Abel Keith Fulton pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to information presented in court, from August to September 2016, Fulton possessed ricin at his home in Athens, Texas. Ricin is a biological toxin that can be fatal if ingested, inhaled, or injected. There is no known antidote or cure for ricin poisoning. Fulton made the ricin using supplies that he purchased online.

Under federal statutes, Fulton faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Coan and Trial Attorney Jerome Teresinski.

Fulton's guilty plea is a significant blow to those who would seek to harm others through the production and possession of deadly toxins.

The people of Texas can rest assured that we will continue to work tirelessly to protect them from those who would seek to harm them.

Tyler, Texas

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Abel Keith Fulton

Criminal Charges: Unlawful possession of ricin

City and State: Athens, Texas

Exact Date: August to September 2016

Sentence or Outcome: Up to 10 years in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/henderson-county-man-guilty-unlawfully-possessing-ricin