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Two indicted for making anthrax threats

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two Connecticut men were indicted Tuesday on charges of making false anthrax threats. Authorities said there was no apparent connection between the two cases.

In Bridgeport, Frederick Forcellina was charged with threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction against federal courts in Stamford, Bridgeport and Norwalk.

An FBI affidavit quoted the suspect as calling 911 and making the threats.

"This is not a hoax. And I'm telling you that three of your symbols of justice, the court buildings ... have been dusted," the caller said.

"This is no joke. We are tired. We are going to turn around and do the railroad stations and maybe even some schools, as horrid as it may sound."

Authorities traced the call to a pay phone where Forcellina was confronted. The FBI said Forcellina admitted he made the call.

Federal convictions carry sentences of up to five years in prison for hoaxes or other threats involving weapons of mass destruction.

Attorney General John Ashcroft said earlier that another Connecticut man had been indicted on charges of allegedly making false statements in connection with an anthrax scare at the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Ashcroft said Joseph Faryniarz sat by when officials found a white powder on a paper towel on his desk last week, even though he knew the powder was a hoax. He also tried to blame co-workers, Ashcroft said.

"It should be painfully obvious to every American today that the threat of bioterrorism is no joking matter," Ashcroft said. "Every threat is real. The perpetrators of hoaxes should know that penalties are real."

Faryniarz would face up to five years in prison and up to $3 million in fines if convicted.

FBI Director Robert Mueller said his agency had received 2,300 reports of anthrax incidents since October 1, but most of them have turned out to be hoaxes.

Mueller said investigating the false reports has wasted millions of dollars worth of law enforcement and public health resources that could have been used to deal with actual terrorist acts.

Officials in Florida and New York, the two states where anthrax cases have been reported, also reported hoaxes.

New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik said there had been "a number" of anthrax hoaxes and promised to prosecute anyone who sends hoaxes through the mail.

They would face charges of aggravated harassment "and any federal charges we can bring," Kerik said.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a new law making such hoaxes a felony.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Tim Moore warned people responsible for false alarms.

"We will not tolerate those few sick individuals who are bringing this unnecessary paranoia to citizens of our state, those people who are looking to cause a little perverted excitement," he said.



 
 
 
 


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• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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