- From U.S. States Attorney News Release -

LAKE IN THE HILLS MAN INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY
ACQUIRING AND POSSESSING TETRODOTOXIN
ROCKFORD – PATRICK J. FITZGERALD, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and ROBERT D. GRANT, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today made the following announcement:
Today, a federal grand jury in Rockford returned a ten-count indictment charging EDWARD F. BACHNER IV, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, with unlawfully acquiring and possessing a neurotoxin, Tetrodotoxin, on five separate occasions between November 7, 2006, and June 30, 2008.
Five of the counts (Counts One, Three, Five, Seven, and Nine) allege that on five separate occasions, Bachner acquired Tetrodotoxin in order to use it as a weapon. The other five counts (Counts Two, Four, Six, Eight, and Ten) allege that on those same dates, Bachner possessed Tetrodotoxin in a quantity that was not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose. Bachner was initially charged by a federal criminal complaint on June 30, 2008. As set forth in that complaint, Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin that has no known antidote and can only be treated with supportive therapy in an attempt to lessen the severity of the symptoms. Tetrodotoxin is naturally found in certain animal species, including puffer fish, and consumption of these animals can result in natural poisoning. Dependent largely upon the amount of poisoning, Tetrodotoxin has a historical fatality rate of 50-60%. If death occurs, it is usually due to respiratory paralysis and can occur within 6-24 hours.
If convicted of acquiring Tetrodotoxin in order to use it as a weapon, Bachner faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. If convicted of possession of Tetrodotoxin in a quantity not justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose, he faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment. In addition, Bachner can be fined up to $250,000 for each of the ten counts contained in the indictment. If convicted, the defendant’s actual sentence will be determined by the United States District Court, guided by the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
Bachner was originally arrested on June 30, 2008, and has remained in federal custody since that date. He will be arraigned by United States Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. The arraignment will occur at the federal courthouse in Rockford.
The case is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force of the FBI. The Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents, Officers from the Chicago Police Department, and representatives from approximately 20 other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The case will be prosecuted in federal court by Assistant United States Attorney MARK T. KARNER.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only allegations and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

.