Navy vet hit with more charges in ricin case

William Clyde Allen III, a 39-year-old Navy veteran, was arrested earlier this month after authorities intercepted envelopes containing ground castor beans addressed to President Trump. Federal prosecutors in Utah have also filed charges against Allen after intercepting additional letters that were addressed to FBI Director Chris Wray, Defense Secretary James Mattis, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson. Most recently, authorities intercepted envelopes that were addressed to CIA Director Gina Haspel and Air Force Secretary Dr. Heather Wilson.

Allen has pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including threatening to use a biological toxin as a weapon (castor beans are the basis for ricin, a highly deadly toxin) mailing a threat against the president and mailing threatening communications to an officer of the United States.

Allen also is alleged to have told investigators that he bought hundreds of castor beans on eBay to "defend our nation" if "World War III broke out." Yes, the country could count on him to save us.

All the letters tested positive for ricin but, fortunately, no one was hurt.

Allen served in the Navy from 1998 to 2002 and has a criminal record in Utah including attempted aggravated assault and child abuse.

To be fair, Allen also has a history of sending threatening emails to then-President Barack Hussein Obama, the U.S. Air Force and the state of Utah.

A judge denied Allen a request on Monday and decided to keep him in jail ahead of trial. He said he's needed at home to care for his wife who has a spinal condition and uses a wheelchair. She also has bad judgment as she married him.

Allen faces up to life in prison if convicted on the ricin charge. A count of mailing a threat against the president carries up to five years in prison, and five counts of mailing a threat to a U.S. officer are each punishable by a maximum of 10 years.

Allen's trial is scheduled to begin the day after Christmas. Hope he doesn't need to return any gifts.

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