Puffer fish suspect indicted on murder plot charges

A Lake in the Hills man charged with possessing a deadly puffer fish poison was indicted Tuesday on charges he planned to use the toxin to kill his wife.

Authorities said Edward F. Bachner, 36, plotted the murder in hopes of cashing in on a $20 million life insurance policy.

Bachner was arrested June 30, 2008, after federal agents said they seized 45 full or partially full vials of tetrodotoxin, or TTX, from his residence. Also recovered was a handgun, more than 50 knives, a fake CIA badge and books on how to poison people, as well as evidence Bachner had obtained at least 19 more vials that were missing, authorities said.

While prosecutors have said they believed Bachner intended to use the poison as a weapon and that his wife was a target, he was not formally charged for that until Tuesday's indictment. He now faces additional charges of wire fraud, soliciting another to commit a federal felony involving the use of force, using an interstate facility for murder for hire, and filing false claims for federal income tax refunds, federal prosecutors said.

Authorities say Bachner obtained the toxin by posing as a doctor doing medical research.

If convicted of the most serious charges, Bachner could be sentenced to life in prison. Defense attorney James Marcus declined to comment on the indictment.

Bachner remains in federal custody with no bond. He is scheduled for arraignment Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney in the U.S. District Court in Rockford.