Lab tests link Dutschke to ricin-laced letters

A probe has revealed traces of the poison ricin on items from the premises that, formerly housed a martial arts studio owned by James Everett Dutschke, accused of sending poison-laced letters to senators and the president of the United States.
Besides the gym facilities, traces of ricin were also found on items found in a nearby trash can.

The investigation also discovered that Dutschke had ordered via the Internet castor-oil plant seeds, which can be used to obtain ricin.

Dutschke, 41, was arrested at his Tupelo home on Saturday following searches of his home and former business as part of the ricin letter investigation.

He was later charged with "developing... and possessing" ricin and "attempting" to use it "as a weapon," according to a Department of Justice statement.

If convicted, Dutschke faces maximum possible penalties of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Thursday.