An East Cleveland man previously convicted in a 2012 plot to bomb a northeast Ohio bridge is back in federal court, this time accused of possessing ricin, a highly toxic biological agent.
A federal grand jury indicted Brandon Baxter, 34, on charges of prohibitions involving biological weapons and possession of a biological toxin by a restricted person. Federal prosecutors allege Baxter knowingly possessed ricin, which can cause severe illness or death.
Authorities have not publicly explained how investigators learned Baxter allegedly had the ricin, where it was found or how much was recovered. The FBI’s Cleveland Division investigated the case with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and East Cleveland police.
Baxter has a history with federal authorities in northeast Ohio. In 2012, he was convicted for his role in a plot to detonate explosives at the base of the Route 82 bridge in Macedonia. He was sentenced to just under 10 years in federal prison in that case.
Ricin is a poison derived from castor beans. Exposure can cause serious illness and, in sufficient amounts, can be fatal. There is no specific antidote for ricin poisoning.
Baxter is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 14 in Cleveland. If convicted on the current charges, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
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