Puffer fish toxin case inching closer to trial
The case of a Lake in the Hills man accused of illegally possessing puffer fish poison for use as a weapon is slowly inching toward trial or some other resolution.
A federal prosecutor and the defense for suspect Edward F. Bachner IV both said in court Thursday they will be ready next month to transfer the case to the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Frederick J. Kapala.
The transfer would indicate the two sides are ready to set the matter for trial or might be nearing a plea agreement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Karner declined further comment Thursday.
Bachner, 35, faces 10 counts of unlawful possession of tetrodotoxin, the formal name of the deadly poison obtained from the organs of the puffer fish.
Five of the counts claim Bachner, of the 5700 block of McKenzie Drive, obtained the toxin for use as a weapon, though authorities have not commented on how or on who he intended to use it.
Bachner, who has denied the allegations, has remained in federal custody since agents from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force raided his home June 30 and said they found 45 full or partially full vials of tetrodotoxin along with evidence Bachner had obtained at least 19 more vials that were missing.
Prosecutors say agents also found a handgun, more than 50 knives, five garrotes, a phony CIA badge, a precursor to the poison ricin and books on how to poison people, make gun silencers and hand-to-hand combat.
Authorities say Bachner obtained the toxin by posing as a doctor doing medical research.
The slow progress of the case appears to have irked U.S. Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney, who questioned lawyers on both sides Thursday about the delay in getting the case set for trial.
"This case has been here too long," he said.
"There are some matters that need to be approved by my superiors before we can move forward," Karner replied. "I don't think either side is delaying this."
Bachner, who could face life in prison if convicted of all charges, is scheduled to return to court April 30.