A martial-arts instructor has been indicted for sending ricin-laced letters to the president and framing an Elvis impersonator for the crime, according to court documents released yesterday.
James Everett Dutschke, 41, from Mississippi, was charged with developing a biological agent as a weapon, threatening the president and covering up his scheme, according to a federal jury indictment.
Dutschke was arrested at home on April 27 after charges were dropped against Paul Curtis, 45, a celebrity impersonator who dresses as country stars like Elvis Presley.
Curtis insisted he was framed, and pointed investigators toward Dutschke.
Poison letters were sent to President Obama, Sen. Roger Wicker and a Mississippi state judge on April 8.
Dutschke will plead not guilty, his lawyer said. He could face life in prison if convicted.