Former Marine Admits to Producing Ricin at Home
Russell Richardson Vane IV, a 42-year-old Marine Corps veteran from Vienna, Virginia, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to illegal possession of ricin, a highly toxic biological substance. Vane has been in custody since his arrest in April and now faces a possible prison sentence of up to five years.
Arrest Stems from Militia Group’s Concerns
Vane came to the attention of law enforcement after the Virginia Kekoas, a Virginia-based militia group, cut ties with him. The group raised concerns over what they described as Vane’s “loose talk” about homemade explosives, leading them to suspect that he might be a government informant. Their suspicions were reported by an online news outlet, prompting authorities to investigate.
Ricin Production Discovered During Search
Federal agents searched Vane’s home, where they discovered castor beans—used to produce ricin—along with a handwritten recipe for extracting the toxin. Subsequent testing confirmed the presence of ricin. Under federal law, possession of ricin is strictly regulated, requiring registration and a license, neither of which Vane had obtained.
Legal Arguments and Court Proceedings
During earlier court hearings, Vane’s defense argued that the prosecution exaggerated the potential threat posed by his actions. They contended that it is nearly impossible to produce ricin at home in a form that could be used as a lethal weapon, and they emphasized that Vane never threatened anyone. Despite these arguments, prosecutors maintained that Vane’s behavior was dangerous and underscored the illegitimacy of producing ricin without a valid reason.
Additionally, prosecutors introduced evidence that Vane attempted to fake his own death by posting a false obituary online and legally changing his name in Fairfax County court. These actions further alarmed authorities and contributed to the severity of the charges against him.
Guilty Plea and Upcoming Sentencing
At the plea hearing in federal court in Alexandria, Vane admitted to using castor beans to create ricin at his home. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga allowed Vane to be released pending his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for November. While Vane faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, he is likely to receive a lesser sentence, as his plea deal does not include a specific sentencing recommendation.
