Former University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student Kyle Allen Smith, aged 21, from Oshkosh, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for possession of ricin. According to United States Attorney James L. Santelle of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Smith faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
The plea agreement reveals that Smith admitted growing castor bean plants and extracting ricin from them. His residence contained a substance tested by the Department of Homeland Security’s National Bioforensics Analysis Center at Fort Detrick, Maryland, and confirmed to be the dangerous toxin ricin. This substance is known for its lethal effects when ingested, inhaled, or injected, causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, potentially leading to death within 36 to 72 hours. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no known antidotes for ricin poisoning.
Smith confessed to having homicidal thoughts, which he claims may have led to his curiosity about producing ricin. However, he stated that he would not use or test the ricin on humans due to fear of detection from too many people knowing about his actions.
Smith was apprehended on October 31, 2014, following reports by two professors at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh who noted Smith’s unusual inquiries into chemical processes. United States Attorney Santelle commended the swift action of both the professors and university administration for promptly alerting law enforcement authorities. This case exemplifies the importance of the ‘See something, say something’ motto in today’s vigilant society. Mr. Santelle also expressed gratitude to the Wisconsin National Guard and the 54th Civil Support Team for their critical role in safely recovering the ricin.
The investigation was conducted by the Oshkosh Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Kanter prosecuted the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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