Texas-Based Actress Framed Husband, then Admitted Guilt in Ricin Letter Case

Shannon Richardson, a 35-year-old pregnant actress based in Texas, was arrested on Friday, June 7th, for sending ricin-laced letters to powerful political figures.

Initially, the actress told authorities that her husband of just two years had sent the now infamous ricin letters to President Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, threatening violence against gun-control advocates.

However, when authorities investigated further, they discovered that it was Richardson, not her estranged husband, who had sent the letters.

Richardson was arrested on Friday on federal charges for sending the threatening letter to the president. Such a charge carries up to 10 years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s office.

The actress’s court appointed attorney, Tonda Curry, said that Richardson never intended to harm anyone with the ricin letters, and that no physical threat could have been intended as it was obvious that all US mail was thoroughly searched. “From what I can say, based on what evidence I’ve seen, whoever did this crime never intended for ricin to reach the people to which the letters were addressed,” Curry said.

On May 30th, according to the court affidavit, Richardson contacted the FBI claiming that her husband, Nathaniel Richardson, sent the ricin-laced letters to Bloomberg, Obama, and some members of a Washington gun-control group. She said that she found a sticky note on her husband’s desk with addresses for the president, the New York mayor, and the gun control group, and she also found several small, brown beans with white specks, which turned out to be castor beans, the key ingredient in ricin production.

Investigators looking into her claim found several inconsistencies. Particularly, Nathaniel Richardson would have been at work when internet searches made on the couple’s laptop were dated, and when the envelopes were postmarked.

Finally, in an interview on Thursday, June 6th with federal authorities, Shannon Richardson admitted that she received syringes and lye in the mail to manufacture ricin. She also admitted that she had printed the labels for the letters and mailed them. However, she added that her husband had forced her to type and mail the letters.

Currently, no charges have been filed against her husband.

Their New Boston, Texas home is currently under quarantine for “environmental or toxic agents.” Multiple samples taken from the couple’s home have tested positive for ricin.

Shannon Richardson has made several minor TV and movie appearances, including on popular shows such as “The Walking Dead” and “The Vampire Diaries.”

Richardson’s detention hearing is scheduled for Friday, June 14th, and federal authorities have requested that she be held without bond.

Ricin Letters More Frequent

Federal authorities say that, although ricin-laced letters were a sporadic problem for many years, recently, several copycat crimes have cropped up. They believe it is because manufacturing techniques have made extracting the poison much easier.

Ricin is a highly toxic, naturally occurring carbohydrate-binding protein. Whether inhaled, injected, or ingested, the poison inhibits protein synthesis. If untreated, death occurs within 3 to 5 days after exposure.

Three recent incidents of ricin letters led federal investigators on a wild chase through the postal system to several suspects, and eventually to Richardson. The letters had been mailed from Shreveport, Louisiana, last month.

Indictment for Federal Criminal Charges in South Carolina

If you have been arrested on federal criminal charges, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations so you can discuss the facts of your case with impunity.Contact us today. 803.252.4800.