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Civil and Criminal Cases

    Hoax Cases

    United States v. Steven Chin Leung:

  • Complaint (PDF) Faking death on Sept. 11th. Violation of 18 USC Section 3146(a)(1) and (b)(1)(a)(ii); 1503 and 3147(1). Feb 13, 2002.

    United States v. Adam Ray Elliott:
  • Indictment (PDF) Threatened that the Jihad would destroy police and fire training facilities. Also, reported that there was a bomb on the Buckman Bridge, FL. Violation of 18 USC Section 844(e). Oct 2001

    United States v. Joseph A. Faryniarz:
  • Indictment (PDF) Violation of 18 USC Section 1001. Oct 18, 2001
  • Criminal Complaint (PDF) Reported to authorities that he found a powdery substance on his desk marked "ANTHRAX", but failed to disclose that it was a hoax. Also knew who perpetrated the hoax, but identified individuals other than the perpetrator to authorities. Violation of 18 USC Section 1001. Oct 15, 2001

    United States v. Fred C. Forcellina:
  • Indictment, Arrest Warrant and Criminal Complaint (PDF) Threatened the use of biological agents against several courthouses. Violation of 18 USC Section 2332a. Oct 18, 2001

    State of California v. Dionicio Garcia:
  • Criminal Complaint (PDF) Placed a bucket marked "DANGER. DO NOT OPEN. ANTHRAX" in a trash bin near the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. Violation of Penal Code Sections 11418.5(a), 664/422, 11411(a), and 148.3(a). Oct 18, 2001

    United States v. Robert T. Gibson:
  • Criminal Complaint, Warrant, and Affidavit Mailed baby powder in an envelope with a note stating, "ANTHRAX! ANTHRAX! ANTHRAX!" inside. Violation of 18 USC Sections 876 and 2332a(a)(3). Oct 23, 2001

    People v. Cathy Gene Lester:
  • Misdemeanor Complaint (PDF) Placed an envelope with Arabic script and baby powder inside on the windshield of a vehicle on a General Motors (GM) assembly line. Violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.200j. Oct 23, 2001

    United States v. Timothy Scott McNeill:
  • Indictment (PDF) Reported that three Arab looking men kidnapped him and forced him to read a terrorist threat to a Northwest Airlines Reservation Center. Violation of 18 USC Section 1001 and 35(b).

    United States v. Paul W. Munson:
  • Criminal Complaint, Warrant, and Affidavit Mailed a letter with baby powder inside the envelope. Violation of 18 USC Section 876. Oct 24, 2001

    United States v. Terry Olson:
  • Criminal Complaint (PDF) Falsely informed law enforcement officials that he had received anthrax through the mail. Violation of 18 USC Section 1001 Oct 18, 2001

    People v. Michael Robert Rhyne:
  • Misdemeanor Complaint (PDF) Placed an envelope with Arabic script and baby powder inside on the windshield of a vehicle on a General Motors (GM) assembly line. Violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.200j. Oct 23, 2001

    Roger Ryan:
  • Chicago Police Arrest Report Phoned in a threat that Flight 205 had already been hijacked and would crash into the Sears Towers.

    Nixon B. Saldanha:
  • Complaint Presented two envelopes to a National Guard member that falsely appeared to contain anthrax, and falsely stated that the envelopes were found in a nearby telephone booth. Violation of 18 USC Section 1001.

    Chad C. Seabold:
  • Chicago Police Arrest Report Mailed a letter containing a white powdery substance.

    Cheryl Yvonne Shears:
  • Criminal Complaint Airport security guard falsely reported that when she went to the restroom, a passenger, to which she allegedly had previously boarding, followed her in and placed a gun to her head.

    United States v. Sheppard:
  • Criminal Complaint, Warrant, and Affidavit Mailed an envelope with "ATTN ANTHAX [sic] ENCLOSED, CUATION [sic]" written on the front. Violation of 18 USC Section 876. Oct 22, 2001

    United States v. Dale Trythall:
  • Criminal Complaint, Warrant, and Affidavit Mailed enveloped containing baby powder and a note inside stating, "it's too late now." Violation of 18 USC Section 876. Oct 23, 2001

    United States v. Clayton Lee Waagner:
  • Criminal Complaint (PDF) Convicted felon and fugitive from justice in possession of a firearm. Violation of 18 USC Sections 922(g)(1), 922(g)(2) and 924(e)(1). Dec 6, 2001
  • Warrant for Arrest, Criminal Complaint, Order and Motion to Unseal Criminal Complaint (PDF) For armed bank robbery. Waagner also suspected of mailing hundreds of hoax anthrax letters to women's health clincis. Violation of 18 USC Section 2113(a) and (d). Nov 29-30, 2001
  • The FBI Announces New Information Regarding Top Ten Fugitive Clayton Lee Waagner From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Nov. 29, 2001

    United States v. Ronnie Lamar Williams:
  • Criminal Complaint (PDF) Placed a telephone call threatening to deliver anthrax to a law firm. Violation of 18 USC Section 2332(a)(2). Oct 22, 2001

    United States v. Amy Wood, Erin Creighton:
  • Criminal Complaint (PDF) Mailed two envelopes containing a white powdery substance and threatening letters to the addressees. Violation of 18 USC Section 876. Oct 24, 2001

    People v. Joseph Moody Younce, Jr.:
  • Misdemeanor Complaint (PDF) Placed an envelope with Arabic script and baby powder inside on the windshield of a vehicle on a General Motors (GM) assembly line. Violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.200j. Oct 23, 2001