Man Charged With Possession Of A Deadly Toxin In North Georgia

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William Christopher Gibbs / Fannin County Sheriff's Office

On Wednesday, a 27-year-old North Georgia man was charged with possession of the deadly toxin, ricin. Fannin County officials arrested William Christopher Gibbs in early February after he drove himself to a hospital and said that he had been exposed to ricin. An indictment filed Wednesday says Gibbs had ricin without registration required by law.

Ricin is a poison naturally found in castor beans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that it would take a “deliberate act to make ricin and use it to poison people.” Ricin can be injected through air, food, or water and it prevents the cells of a person’s body from making the proteins they need. This is eventually harmful to the entire body.

Fannin County officials report that Gibb’s car tested positive for ricin. The 4th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team of the Army National Guard and the Cherokee County Fire Department came to Morganton, Georgia to ensure everything was safe shortly after Gibbs went to the hospital.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office issued a statement after the raid began.

"FBI is investigating this matter carefully and thoroughly with local law enforcement authorities, including the Fannin County Sheriff’s Department,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. “We have identified no evidence that any poisonous or toxic substances have been dispersed or that the public is at risk.”

One count of possession of a biological agent is a federal charge that carries a prison sentence of up to five years. Gibbs remains in Fannin County Jail on state charges of reckless conduct and probation violation. His bond for reckless conduct is set at $2,000. He is not eligible for bond on his probation violation.

Gibbs identified himself as a white supremacist on his Facebook page, which has been removed. Photos that are reportedly from his Facebook page were published on the website Heavy.com. Gibbs can be seen wearing patches from the Creativity Alliance. According to their website, the Creativity Alliance is a global group “dedicated to the survival, expansion and advancement of the white race.”

Court records do not indicate whether or not Gibbs has an attorney who would comment on the case.