Two key points distinguish the CBS-11 report from other news accounts of the case so far: Its reportage on the possibility that more cyanide-gas bombs were made and distributed elsewhere by the chief suspect, William Krar; and its mention of "100 other bombs" found in the arrest. I wanted to find out more about these and called Bensman up.
On the latter question, Bensman explained that the 100 bombs found by authorities were conventional devices, mostly pipe bombs, and not cyanide. He said the information came from FBI investigators.
As for the likelihood -- or even the possibility -- that Krar had either put together or sold the components for even more cyanide bombs, Bensman emphasized that it was still only a possibility, since there was no evidence that he had done so. But the circumstances and evidence gathered so far were suggestive enough to warrant serious concern. He pointed to the evidence discussed in the original story, noting especially that Krar travelled extensively and appeared to make a living by selling explosive devices, and had stockpiled to components for the cyanide bombs, meaning he certainly had the ability to have made more of them:
- Sources familiar with the investigation say authorities especially fear that Krar may have manufactured more than one sodium cyanide bomb and sold them. After a traffic stop earlier this year while Krar was traveling through Tennessee, state troopers seized sodium cyanide among other weapons, one government source confirmed.
During the same stop, troopers found notes in Krar’s car.
One of the notes titled “Trip” recommends, “You will need cash, pre-charged phone card, spare gas can and all planning in place.”
Another note titled “Procedure” appears to represent instructions for carrying out some kind of covert operation. It lists code words for cities where meetings can take place at motels. Other codes appear to be warnings about how close police might be to catching the plotters. “Lots of light storms are predicted,” for instance, means “Move fast before they look any harder. We have a limited window remaining.”
The same note goes on to recommend ways to divert pursuers and suggests, “We want all looking in the wrong direction.”
For what it's worth, nearly everything in the CBS-11 report is more or less corroborated in the Department of Justice's release:
- UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Eastern District of Texas
PRESS ROOM
November 13, 2003
SMITH COUNTY MAN ADMITS POSSESSING CHEMICAL WEAPONS
(Tyler, Texas) A Tyler resident has admitted to possessing sodium cyanide, and other chemicals for the purpose of creating a dangerous weapon. WILLIAM J. KRAR pleaded guilty this morning to one count of Possessing a Dangerous Chemical Weapon. His co-defendant, JUDITH L. BRUEY, pleaded guilty to an information charging her with Conspiracy to Possess Illegal Weapons.
According to information prosecutors presented in court, sometime before the spring of 2003, Krar accumulated a large quantity of sodium cyanide and acids such as hydrochloric, nitric and acetic acids. The chemicals were found last April after the discovery of false documents belonging to Krar. The false documents were part of a package Krar mailed to Edward Feltus in New Jersey in January 2002. Instead of being delivered to Feltus as Krar intended, the package was accidentally taken to a household on Staten Island, New York. The package contained more than five false identification documents, including a North Dakota birth certificate, a Social Security card, a Vermont birth certificate, a Defense Intelligence Agency Identification card, and a United Nations Multinational Force Identification card. The subsequent investigation determined that Krar not only possessed false documents, but had accumulated dangerous chemical weapons. Sodium cyanide is a toxic chemical by itself and as such constitutes a chemical weapon in its own right. When mixed with strong acids like those found at Krar's residence, the combination, cyanide gas, is extremely lethal. During the search of the Smith County residence he shares with Bruey, officers found and recovered multiple illegal weapons including machine guns, silencers, destructive devices, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a handgun with an obliterated serial number.
U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Orwig complimented the investigative efforts of the FBI, ATF, the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Defense Department Criminal Investigative Service, "This investigation centered on very serious allegations. Through the cooperative effort of the FBI, ATF, the Army CID and the Criminal Investigative Service, these defendants were identified and their activities pinpointed and neutralized. We live in a safer world because of the efforts of these agencies."
Krar, 62, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Bruey, 54, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Edward Feltus previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the transportation of false identification documents. He is awaiting sentencing. U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis has not set a sentencing date for any of the defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Rivers is prosecuting the case.
Another useful site which seems to be collecting information on the case is The Memory Hole, which has links to most of the news reports on the case -- which have been damned few.
Bensman said he had no idea why CBS national news didn't pick up on their reportage: "I guess they didn't think it was important enough." But he said the station has been gathering more information on the case and will be doing a follow-up report sometime in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, I'll be pursuing other aspects of the case and will report back here as info emerges.
[Thanks to Danny Levitas for forwarding the DOJ memo.]
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