ATHENS, Texas – UPDATE [August 2, 2018] — Abel Keith Fulton, now 20, was sentenced earlier today to 46 months in federal prison after his March guilty plea to unlawfully possessing ricin at his Athens-area home.
ATHENS, Texas – UPDATE [August 2, 2018] — Abel Keith Fulton, now 20, was sentenced earlier today to 46 months in federal prison after his March guilty plea to unlawfully possessing ricin at his Athens-area home.
In addition to the prison sentence, handed down today by U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder, Fulton was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,060 for costs incurred by law enforcement officials in connection with the removal of the hazardous materials and decontamination of his residence.
ORIGINAL [March 22, 2018] — On Tuesday, 19-year-old Abel Keith Fulton of Athens, Texas, pled guilty to the unlawful possession of ricin, according to federal officials.
The plea was made before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.
Between August and September 2016, Fulton possessed ricin at his home in Athens, Texas, which he made using supplies purchased online, according to information presented in court.
"Ricin is a biological toxin that can be fatal if ingested, inhaled, or injected," read a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Texas. "There is no known antidote or cure for ricin poisoning."
Fulton's father, who owned the home, alerted authorities that his son may be in possession of the deadly toxin.
If convicted, Fulton faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Coan and Trial Attorney Jerome Teresinski of the Department of Justice National Security Division.