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For Immediate Release
December
20, 2001
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Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
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FBI
Warns Against Anthrax Hoaxes
In recent months,
approximately 40 individuals have been charged with anthrax
hoaxes and threats with penalties ranging from a maximum
of 5 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 fine. FBI Director
Robert S. Mueller warned that the FBI has and will continue
to vigorously investigate and arrest those individuals who
commit these crimes. Mueller said "we will not tolerate
these serious violations of federal law. These investigations
place a severe strain on law enforcement and public health
resources and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law."
Since September
11th, the FBI and other federal agencies have investigated
and charged individuals throughout the nation on several
anthrax hoax and threat violations including but not limited
to using the mail to send threatening communications, obstructing
the mail, and making a threat to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Some of the notable cases include:
- U.S. v. Frederick Champion
- Champion allegedly mailed a letter to a U.S. Senator's
home office in El Dorado, Arkansas, temporarily closing
the office with several law enforcement authorities
responding.
- U.S. v. Christopher Cooper
- Cooper, former Los Angeles City fire captain was charged
with allegedly mailing threatening communication to
his ex-wife's attorney.
- U.S. v. Justo Saldana
- Saldana allegedly sent a letter filled with baby powder
to the City of Long Beach with a note stating it was
a joke.
- U.S. v. Jose Fernandez
- Fernandez allegedly mailed an envelope to the Internal
Revenue Service in Fresno, California which contained
an article about anthrax.
- U.S. v. Michael Murphy
- Murphy allegedly wrote anthrax on an envelope that
contained white granular substance and a birthday card
for his mother.
- U.S. v. Faryniarz - Faryniarz
allegedly reported to federal authorities that he found
a white powdery substance on his desk at Connecticut's
Department of Environmental Protection Agency along
with a handwritten note when in fact it was a hoax.
- U.S. v. Fred Forcellina
- Forcellina allegedly threatened a "silent war"
against the U.S. and three courthouses in southern Connecticut
to a 911 dispatcher.
- U.S. v. Jacob De La Fuente
- De La Fuente allegedly sent a threatening letter to
his ex-girlfriend which included a white powdery substance
causing the Postal Service Industry Processing and Distribution
Center to evacuate and accumulate over $36,550 in lost
revenue.
- U.S. v.s Jeremy Theus
- Theus was charged with allegedly perpetrating an anthrax
hoax by opening a neighbor's mail before it had been
received and putting in a harmless white powder.
- U.S. v. Michael Doherty
- Doherty allegedly informed the Rock Island Arsenal
Security personnel repeatedly that he had a truck load
of anthrax and after being arrested claimed it was a
joke.
- U.S. v. Clarence Lindsey
- Lindsey, a former United States Postal Service employee,
allegedly deposited a threatening communication in the
mail and allegedly wrote "Anthrax Inclosed"
(sic) on the outside of the package.
- U.S. v. David Feddersen
- Fedderson allegedly informed a Social Security Administration
Office employee that he was going to bring back a bowl
of anthrax since he couldn't get a resolution on his
disability payments.
- U.S. v. Alemash T. Alemayehu
- Alemayehu allegedly sent an email to an FBI website
which collects tips on terrorist activity. The email
stated he was producing more anthrax that will kill
thousands of people.
- U.S. v. Robert Gibson
- Gibson, a former Home Depot employee, allegedly sent
an envelope to the Home Depot in Frazier, PA, containing
a white powdery substance and a note " anthrax!
anthrax!" The evacuation prompted a full emergency
response and over one million dollar loss in revenue.
The public is
encouraged to contact their local FBI office if they have
any information regarding potential anthrax threats and
hoaxes.
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