Court hearing continued for accused ricin writer
A preliminary hearing and detention hearing held Friday afternoon was continued until Monday for the man accused of sending threatening letters containing the toxin ricin to President Barack Obama and two Mississippians. Authorities say he sent a third threatening letter to a Mississippi judge, though that letter is still being tested for the presence of ricin. Curtis has denied making the ricin and mailing the letters.
During the hearing which began at 3 p.m. Friday at the Federal Courthouse in Oxford, he turned around and mouthed the words “I didn’t do it” to a young woman.
The government filed a request to continue the hearing until Monday, but U.S. Magistrate S. Allan Alexander denied the request at the start of the hearing; however, she continued the hearing to Monday after two-hours of testimony on Friday.
Agent Brandon M. Grant testified at the hearing.
Check The Oxford EAGLE on Monday for updates. (April 19, 2013)
48 become U.S. Citizens Thursday
From all over the world, 48 people took the pledge together to become united as U.S. Citizens at the Federal Court in Oxford on Thursday. (April 19, 2013, Page 1A)
Alleged ricin letter sender in Oxford
The Corinth man accused of mailing letters laced with a poison to President Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker was transferred to the Lafayette County Detention Center where he is being held pending a court hearing. (April 18, 2013, Page 1, 5)
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)
OHS to stage classic comedy “Tartuffe”
OHS opens tonight with “Tartuffe” with tickets at $5 at the door at the Kayla Sue Mize Auditorium. (April 18, 2013, Page 1)
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)
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)
