Lake in the Hill puffer-fish toxin suspect must remain in jail
A federal judge Monday refused to set free a Lake in the Hills man accused of possessing the deadly puffer-fish toxin for use as a weapon, ruling that he would be a "serious danger to persons in the community" and a flight risk if released.
The decision means Edward F. Bachner IV must remain in federal custody without bond while awaiting trial on 10 counts of unlawful possession of tetrodotoxin, allegations that could land him in prison for life if he is convicted.
The poison, produced from the organs of the puffer fish, can cause paralysis or death if ingested or inhaled in very small quantities. Authorities have not commented on why they believe Bachner possessed the toxin or upon whom they believe he planned to use it, but five of the 10 counts against him claim he intended to employ it as a weapon.
In a three-page written ruling issued Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Frederick J. Kapala refused to overturn another judge's decision ordering Bachner, 35, held without bond.
"The court finds that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required and the safety of persons in the community," Kapala states.
The judge cited Bachner's "unpredictable" behavior, a 2005 federal investigation into allegations he tried to hire someone to murder his wife and the lack of any legitimate reason for him to possess tetrodotoxin as reasons for denying his release.
"As such, it is a fair inference that defendant wanted to harm someone with the substance," Kapala writes.
Federal agents arrested Bachner June 30 after he went to a UPS Store and picked up a package containing the toxin, also known as TTX. Authorities say Bachner had ordered the poison by posing as a doctor named "Edmund Backer" and claiming he was doing research.
During a later search of Bachner's home, authorities said, agents discovered 45 full or partially full vials of TTX, a phony CIA badge and books on how to poison people and make gun silencers.
Bachner appeared before Kapala last week, asking to be released on bond while awaiting trial. According to his request, Bachner was willing to go on electronic monitoring, post as much as $1 million in property as bond and live with his parents in Homer Glen.
Bachner, who is being held in the Ogle County jail, is scheduled to return to court Nov. 25.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related documents</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="/pdf/bachnercomplaint.pdf" class="mediaItem" target="_blank">FBI complaint and affidavit </a></li> </ul> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tetrodotoxin/casedef.asp" class="mediaItem">CDC info on Tetrodotoxin</a></li> </ul> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=245857">McHenry Co. puffer fish toxin suspect wants out of jail <span class="date">[10/27/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=230346">Indictment filed in Lake in the Hills puffer fish toxin case <span class="date">[8/26/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=223977">Lawyers keeping puffer fish toxin case under wraps <span class="date">[7/29/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=215152">19 vials of deadly toxin from McHenry Co. house missing, feds say <span class="date">[7/7/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=214350" class="mediaItem">Hearing postponed for Lake in the Hills man in toxin case <span class="moreDate"> [7/02/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=214069" class="mediaItem">Lake in the Hills toxin suspect linked to murder-for-hire plot <span class="moreDate"> [7/02/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=213843" class="mediaItem">FBI arrests LITH man after agents raid home, confiscate deadly toxin <span class="moreDate"> [6/30/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>