Ricin letter threatens to turn D.C. into 'ghost town'

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The letter was sent two days after a vial containing ricin was found Oct. 15 at a mail facility in Greenville. It was signed "Fallen Angel," the name used in the White House letter.

The FBI released a copy of the White House letter Monday. The original was processed Oct. 17 through a postal facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., according to the FBI. The Secret Service intercepted it Nov. 6.

The letter, typed on notebook paper, stated, "Department of transportation If you change the hours of service on January 4, 2004 I will turn D.C. into a ghost town The powder on the letter is RICIN have a nice day"

Tests confirmed it was ricin, which is more deadly than nerve gas. Derived from the castor bean plant, it can be lethal if inhaled, ingested or injected. There is no known antidote.

The letter found in Greenville claimed the writer owned a fleet of tankers and threatened to start dumping if the laws weren't repealed.

A typed message on the envelope read, "caution RICIN POISON Enclosed in sealed container Do not open without proper protection."

Inside the envelope was a small, metal vial of ricin.

The new trucking regulations went into effect Jan. 4.

John Boyanoski can be reached at 298-4065.