Curtis appears in court
Paul Kevin Curtis, the man accused of sending poison-laced letters to President Barack Obama and other leaders, appeared in court late Thursday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander for his first-appearance hearing with his court-appointed attorney Christi McCoy. Curtis is being charged with knowingly using the U.S. Postal Service to inflict harm upon the President of the United States and knowingly using the U.S. Postal Service to inflict injury on other people. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison, $500,000 in fines and three years of supervised release.
Alexander scheduled a preliminary bond hearing for 3 p.m. Friday in the U.S. District Court in Oxford.
The government is requesting Curtis be held without bond because they believe he is a “danger to the community.”
Read Friday’s EAGLE for the full story or check www.oxfordeagle.com for updates. (April 18, 2013)
Online rant establishes possible connection
An online post made in 2007 establishes a possible connection between Paul Kevin Curtis, 45, and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker of Tupelo that dates back about six years.
Curtis was arrested about 5 p.m. Wednesday by FBI and other law enforcement agents at his apartment in Corinth and is believed to be responsible for the mailings of the three letters sent through the U.S. Postal Service which contained a granular substance that preliminarily tested positive for ricin.
The letters were sent to Pres. Barack Obama, Wicker and a justice court judge in Tupelo.
Federal authorities were in Tupelo on Wednesday investigating the letters. Both letters were signed: “I am KC and I approve this message.”
According to the FBI, Curtis has been sending emails to Wicker and other elected officials for several years.
(more…) (April 18, 2013)
North Mississippi man arrested in toxic letters investigation
At approximately 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, FBI Special Agents arrested Paul Kevin Curtis, the individual believed to be responsible for the mailings of the three letters sent through the U. S. Postal Service which contained a granular substance that preliminarily tested positive for ricin. The letters were addressed to a U. S. Senator, the White House, and a Mississippi justice official.
(more…) (April 17, 2013)
Traffic calming policy OK’d; put in place
The Oxford Board of Aldermen approved a new city Traffic Calming Policy that will allow neighborhoods to request traffic calming measures on their roads and overturned a decision by the Oxford Planning Commission and approved the site plan for The Domain, to be built on County Road 300, off Old Taylor Road. (April 17, 2013, Page 6)
Marriott Courtyard gets nod from aldermen
The Oxford Board of Aldermen approved taking steps to sell 4th Street, a short dead-end street, to the developer of a Marriott Courtyard on Tuesday. (April 17, 2013, Page 1, 16)
City to enhance security
City officials say they are beefing up security during the upcoming Double Decker Arts Festival in the aftermath of the bombs at the Boston Marathon Monday. No threats have been made and the enhanced security is only an “over abundance” of caution, city leaders say. (April 17, 2013, Page 1)
Lynch pleads guilty to drug charges
Former narcotics agent Searn Lynch pleaded guilty Monday before a federal judge to charges of obtaining prescription drugs by deception. His sentencing was deferred pending a presentencing report done by the U.S. Probation Department. (April 16, 2013, Page 1, 14)
Work on N. 9th to make walkers safer
Those walking along North 9th Street, trying to find a safe place in between the parked cars on both sides of the road and lack of sidewalks, will soon see some changes along the road that are designed to make it safer for pedestrians. (April 16, 2013, Page 1, 14)
Bishops honored for race reconciliation
The Right Revs. Duncan M. Gray Jr. and Duncan M. Gray III will receive an award named for former Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat at an upcoming Mississippi Trailblazer ceremony. (April 15, 2013, Page 1, 6)
Wife of retired NFL player killed in wreck
Xanaka Burgess, wife of former Ole Mis Rebel and NFL player Derrick Burgess, was killed Thursday when her car hydroplaned on Highway 9 in Pontotoc County. (April 12, 2013, Page 2A)
