A Texas woman has been arrested for mailing threatening communications to the President of the United States, according to a federal complaint.
Shannon Richardson, 35, of New Boston, Texas, was arrested today pursuant to a criminal complaint issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven.
The complaint charges Richardson with mailing a threatening communication to the President of the United States.
According to the arrest affidavit, on May 20, 2013, Richardson is alleged to have actually mailed three letters containing the toxin ricin to President Barack Obama and Mark Glaze in Washington, D.C., and Mayor Michael Bloomberg in New York City.
Richardson was arrested today in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, and appeared before Judge Craven this afternoon in Texarkana, Texas, for an initial appearance.
If convicted, Richardson faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Secret Service. Also providing assistance to the investigation are the New Boston, Texas Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Shreveport, Louisiana Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys D. Ryan Locker, Frank Coan, and Brit Featherston.
It is important to note that a complaint, arrest, or indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant: Shannon Richardson, 35, of New Boston, Texas
Criminal Charges: Mailing a threatening communication to the President of the United States
City and State: New Boston, Texas
Exact Date: May 20, 2013
Sentence or Outcome: Faces up to 10 years in federal prison
This article is part of our ongoing coverage of crime and law enforcement in the United States.
Related Federal Cases
- Shannon Richardson, Mailing Threatening Communication, Texas 2013 · Louisiana
- Shannon Guess Richardson, Threatening the President, Texas 2013 · Louisiana
- Shannon Guess Richardson, Possession of a Biological Toxin as a Weapon, Texas 2013 · Louisiana
- Shannon Guess Richardson, Ricin Possession, Texas 2013 · Louisiana
- Yusif Lee Jones, Interstate Threatening Communications, District of Columbia 2016 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime