Lawyers keeping puffer fish toxin case under wraps

A federal judge Monday gave federal prosecutors another month to formally indict a Lake in the Hills man accused of possessing a large amount of a potentially deadly toxin commonly found in the puffer fish.

The extension gives prosecutors until Aug. 28 to continue presenting evidence before a grand jury considering the allegations against Edward F. Bachner IV.

Bachner, 35, has been in federal custody since June 30 when FBI agents arrested him at his home, 5704 McKenzie Drive, culminating a probe into accusations he illegally bought as much as 64 milligrams of tetrodotoxin, a highly toxic substance that can cause paralysis or death if ingested even in very small quantities.

Bachner's defense agreed to the extension, as well as an order sealing a court motion detailing prosecutors' reason for seeking additional time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Samborn declined to comment Monday.

However, it is not unusual for federal prosecutors to ask for such motions to be placed under seal since they concern secret grand jury proceedings.

Bachner currently is charged with unlawful possession of tetrodotoxin, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The charge alleges Bachner posed as a research doctor to place an order of 100 milligrams of the toxin from a New Jersey company.

FBI agents arrested him June 30 when he picked up his order at a UPS Store in Algonquin. A later search of his home revealed numerous vials that held or formerly held the toxin, as well as dozens of weapons, a fake CIA identification and a book on how to poison people, authorities have said.

Bachner next is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26.