Inmate Cydrus Accused of Threatening President, Judges

CINCINNATI, OH – A federal grand jury has slammed Rodney D. Cydrus, 47, formerly of Chillicothe, Ohio, with charges stemming from a barrage of threatening letters sent to high-ranking federal officials. The indictment, handed down yesterday, alleges Cydrus, currently serving time at Lebanon Correctional Institution, engaged in a campaign of intimidation targeting the very system holding him captive.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, Benjamin C. Glassman, along with Angela L. Byers of the FBI and Mark Porter of the U.S. Secret Service, announced the indictment. The letters, mailed between January 17 and January 31, 2017, weren’t just angry rants; they contained explicit threats to injure numerous government officials – including the President of the United States and federal judges.

The feds say Cydrus didn’t stop at words. Four of the threatening missives were directed at the FBI, and one landed at the Federal Public Defender’s Office. Adding another layer of malice, two of the letters contained a powdered substance, initially raising fears of a biological or chemical attack. Thankfully, investigators determined the powder was non-toxic, but the intent to terrorize was clear.

This isn’t some low-level misdemeanor. Mailing threatening communications carries a hefty penalty – up to 10 years behind bars. Given Cydrus is already an inmate, a conviction could add significant time to his existing sentence. The FBI and Secret Service have been tight-lipped about the specifics of the investigation, but sources confirm they’ve been meticulously tracing the letters and gathering evidence.

Glassman praised the collaborative efforts of the FBI and Secret Service, and specifically highlighted the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy S. Mangan, who will be prosecuting the case. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are refusing to rule out the possibility of additional charges or co-conspirators. This case highlights the lengths to which even incarcerated individuals will go to disrupt the justice system.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Rodney D. Cydrus is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the allegations are serious, and the federal government appears determined to see this case through to a conclusion. Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and bring you the unvarnished truth from the courtroom.