Amidst the string of arrests in the fall of 2011 of anti-government extremists across the United States on various charges, from armed standoffs to possession of illegal weapons and pipe bombs, two stand out.  In both incidents, there were ties to a particularly deadly toxin derived from castor beans called ricin.

The first case involved a 53-year-old woman from Kenai, Alaska: Mary Morgan, a member of the Alaska Peacemakers Militia.  This group gained some notoriety early in 2011 when its leader and other members and associates were arrested in Fairbanks on charges of plotting to kill a federal judge and federal and state law enforcement officers.

Morgan was stopped on October 27, 2011, at the Alaska-Canada border after she told custom officials she had a firearm in the vehicle (Morgan is prohibited from carrying firearms following a 2001 felony conviction).  However, the firearm was perhaps the least unusual item in her vehicle.  Authorities also allegedly discovered notes reportedly in her handwriting, with instructions on how to construct pipe bombs, as well as information on subjects such as poisonous plants and carrying concealed firearms without a permit.  Moreover, authorities also discovered that Morgan had information downloaded from the internet on ricin.   Morgan is currently being held without bail on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In isolation, the ricin connection to Morgan might not have raised many eyebrows.  However, just a few days after Morgan's arrest, a federal grand jury handed down indictments against four members of a north Georgia militia cell related to an alleged plot to conduct "armed attacks on government buildings and federal government employees, including law enforcement agents."  In addition, the group's ringleader, Frederick Thomas, allegedly also discussed killing politicians, government officials (including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder), business leaders, and journalists.  According to authorities, Thomas had even cased two federal office buildings in Atlanta as possible targets.  Thomas and Emory Dan Roberts, both associated with the Georgia Militia, were charged with conspiring to possess an unregistered explosive device and illegal possession of a silencer.

The other two men involved in the alleged plot—Ray Adams and Samuel Crump—were indicted with a different set of charges.  They were both charged with conspiracy to possess and produce a biological toxin and with attempted production of a biological toxin.  According to the indictment, starting in September 2011, Crump and Adams conspired to manufacture ricin—and to use it.  They reportedly hoped to make 10 pounds of the deadly poison to spread in a number of cities.  Crump allegedly proposed spreading the ricin on interstate highways so that passing cars could spread it into the air and disperse it.

It was after authorities learned that the plotters were allegedly attempting to extract ricin, and that they had access to a supply of castor beans, that they made the arrests in the case.