In a significant development, a foreign national, Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier, has been sentenced to almost 22 years in prison for mailing ricin to the President of the United States in 2020. A dual citizen of Canada and France, Ferrier also sent threatening ricin letters to eight Texas State law enforcement officials. The sentence, announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and other law enforcement officials, follows Ferrier’s guilty plea to prohibitions with respect to biological weapons. Court documents reveal that Ferrier admitted to manufacturing ricin at her residence in Quebec, Canada, and mailing it to the White House and Texas law enforcement officials. This concerning case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing threats to national security.
Foreign National Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years in Prison for Mailing Ricin to President of the United States in 2020
Background of the Case
The case involves Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier, a foreign national and dual citizen of Canada and France, who was sentenced to 262 months in prison for mailing threatening letters containing homemade ricin to the White House and then-President Donald J. Trump, as well as to eight Texas State law enforcement officials. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General of the National Security Division Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office David Sundberg, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich, Jr., of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office.
Sentencing
Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier received a sentence of nearly 22 years in prison for her involvement in the mailing of threatening ricin letters. The length of the sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the potential danger posed by the ricin toxin. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Dabney L. Friedrich of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Dual Citizenship of the Defendant
Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier possesses dual citizenship of both Canada and France. Her dual citizenship was a relevant factor in the case, as it highlighted the international aspect of the crime and required coordination between the U.S. and Canadian authorities.
Targets of the Threatening Ricin Letters
The threatening ricin letters were sent to both the White House and President Donald J. Trump, as well as to eight Texas State law enforcement officials. The choice of targets suggests a clear intent to harm or intimidate high-profile individuals and law enforcement personnel.
Guilty Plea and Criminal Cases
Ferrier pleaded guilty to prohibitions with respect to biological weapons in two separate criminal cases. One case was brought in the District of Columbia, and the other was initially brought in the Southern District of Texas before being transferred to the District of Columbia for the purpose of plea and sentencing. The guilty plea demonstrated Ferrier’s acknowledgment of her involvement in the crimes.
Details of the Ricin Production
Ferrier admitted to producing ricin at her residence in Quebec, Canada, in September 2020. Ricin is a deadly poison derived from the waste material left over from processing castor beans. Ferrier’s ability to produce ricin at her residence highlights the need for stringent security measures to prevent the misuse of biological materials.
Connection to Detention in Texas
Ferrier’s detention in Texas in the spring of 2019 played a role in the events leading up to the mailing of the threatening ricin letters. Ferrier believed that the law enforcement officials targeted in the letters were connected to her period of detention. This connection reveals a possible motive for her actions.
Twitter Proposal
In early September 2020, Ferrier used the Twitter social media service to propose harming President Trump by stating that someone should “please shoot [T]rump in the face.” This Twitter proposal is significant in establishing Ferrier’s intent to cause harm and provides additional evidence of her involvement in the crime.
Mailing of the Threatening Ricin Letters
Ferrier sent the threatening ricin letters from Canada to the United States. She drove a car from Canada to the Peace Bridge Border Crossing in Buffalo, New York, on September 20, 2020, where border patrol officials discovered her in possession of a loaded firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and other weapons, leading to her arrest. This sequence of events underscores the serious nature of the crime and the potential danger posed by Ferrier’s actions.
Arrest and Seizure of Weapons
Upon Ferrier’s arrest at the Peace Bridge Border Crossing in Buffalo, New York, law enforcement officials seized a loaded firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and other weapons from her possession. This seizure highlights the potential threat posed by Ferrier and the need for swift action to prevent harm.
Sentence and Supervised Release
In addition to the nearly 22-year prison term, Ferrier was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release. This supervised release will ensure that Ferrier remains under close scrutiny following her release from prison and serves as a deterrent for potential future illegal activities.
Judicial Removal and Deportation
As part of the sentencing, the court issued an order of judicial removal, requiring Ferrier’s removal from the United States at the end of her prison term. This step ensures that Ferrier will be removed from the country and will not pose a threat to the safety and security of the United States.
Investigation and Assistance
The investigation into the mailing of the threatening ricin letters was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and San Antonio Field Office. Assistance was provided by the United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The collaborative efforts of these agencies were crucial in uncovering the details of the case and bringing the defendant to justice.
Prosecution Team
The prosecution team responsible for addressing the case included Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Friedman from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Assistant United States Attorneys Rob Jones, David Coronado, and David Lindenmuth from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and Trial Attorneys David Smith and Joseph Kaster from the DOJ’s National Security Division Counterterrorism Section. Their combined efforts ensured a comprehensive and effective legal response.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier to nearly 22 years in prison for mailing ricin to the President of the United States and Texas law enforcement officials highlights the severity of the crime and sends a clear message that such acts will be met with significant consequences. The thorough investigation, collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies, and diligent prosecution team ensured that justice was served in this case. The case serves as a reminder of the constant need to remain vigilant against threats to national security and the commitment of law enforcement authorities to protect the safety and well-being of the American people.