East Cleveland Man Indicted on Federal Charges Alleging Ricin Possession
CLEVELAND — A 34-year-old East Cleveland man previously convicted in a 2012 plot to bomb an Ohio bridge has been indicted on federal charges alleging he knowingly possessed ricin, a toxin that can be lethal to humans.
Brandon L. Baxter faces charges of Prohibitions with Respect to Biological Weapons and Possession of a Biological Toxin by a Restricted Person, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges Baxter knowingly possessed ricin. The announcement did not specify the amount allegedly recovered, how it was obtained or whether anyone was exposed.
Federal authorities said Baxter was previously convicted for his involvement in a group that attempted to detonate explosives at the base of the Route 82 bridge in Macedonia, Ohio, in 2012.
Baxter is expected to appear for arraignment on October 14 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan D. Greenberg.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer and FBI Cleveland Division Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo announced the indictment.
The FBI Cleveland Division is investigating the case with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and the East Cleveland Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Duncan T. Brown is leading the prosecution alongside Trial Attorney Ryan D. White of the Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
According to the announcement, Baxter faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for both counts if convicted. Any sentence would be determined by the court after considering the circumstances of the case, including his criminal history, his role in the alleged offenses and the nature of the violations.
An indictment contains allegations and is not evidence of guilt. Baxter is presumed innocent unless and until the government proves his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
