Veteran Admits to Having Ricin Poison

A Marine Corps veteran, Russell Richardson Vane IV, 42, from Vienna, Virginia, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to illegal possession of ricin, a potent biological toxin. Vane has been in custody since his arrest in April, following an investigation triggered by his association with a local militia group, the Virginia Kekoas. The group severed ties with him due to concerns over his discussions about homemade explosives and suspicions that he might be a government informant. During a federal court hearing in Alexandria, Vane admitted to using castor beans to produce ricin at his residence. Ricin, which is derived from castor beans, is classified under federal law, requiring individuals to register and obtain a license for possession. Authorities discovered a plastic bag containing castor beans and a handwritten recipe for extracting ricin during a search of Vane's home, with subsequent tests confirming the toxin's presence. Vane's defense team argued that the prosecution exaggerated the risks associated with his actions, claiming that the ricin produced at home could not be effectively weaponized and that he had never threatened anyone. However, prosecutors maintained that there is no legitimate reason for an individual to manufacture ricin and expressed concern over Vane's attempts to fake his own death. Facing a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, Vane's plea deal does not include a recommended sentence, and it is anticipated that he will receive a lesser punishment. Attempts to reach Vane's attorney for comment were unsuccessful.