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Sources: Scientist said he accidentally destroyed vials

Scientist's first hearing delayed

butler
Dr. Butler is escorted by Federal Courthouse security guards in Lubbock, Texas, Thursday.

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CNN's Susan Candiotti reports on the arrest of a Texas Tech scientist who allegedly destroyed vials containing bacteria samples that could cause bubonic plague. (January 16)
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CNN Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains different forms of plague and what causes them. (January 15)
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LUBBOCK, Texas (CNN) -- A university scientist broke down after failing a lie detector test, telling investigators he accidentally destroyed vials containing a bacteria that could cause bubonic plague, law enforcement sources said Thursday.

Dr. Thomas C. Butler, 61, notified Texas Tech University on Tuesday that about 30 vials were missing from his laboratory, a law enforcement source said.

Butler's revelation prompted fears of a potential bioterror threat and led to the creation of a law enforcement task force to investigate the disappearance. But Butler -- who was leading a study aimed at developing antibiotics to fight the plague -- was arrested Wednesday, charged with making false statements to the FBI. (More on plague)

Butler was to appear before federal magistrate Judge Nancy Koenig, in Lubbock Thursday afternoon. However, that hearing was postponed until next Tuesday, based on a motion from the government.

Butler is still being held without bond.

Butler, chief of the Infectious Disease Division at Texas Tech's Department of Internal Medicine, allegedly said in a statement to the FBI that he hadn't realized his report that the vials were missing "would require such an extensive investigation."

According to the criminal complaint against Butler, the scientist waived his Miranda rights and gave a handwritten confession. CNN obtained a copy of the statement, which said that Butler told his laboratory safety officer Tuesday that he had just noticed the missing vials "to demonstrate why I could not account for the plague bacteria that had been in my possession."

"I made a misjudgment by not telling him that the plague bacteria had been accidentally destroyed rather than erroneously first found missing," the statement said. "Because I knew the pathogen had been destroyed and there was no threat to the public, I provided an inaccurate explanation. ..."

BUBONIC PLAGUE

  • What: Potentially fatal disease caused by bacterium Yersinia pestis.
  • How contracted: Bite from rodent flea carrying the plague bacterium.
  • Symptoms: Swollen, tender lymph nodes (swollen gland called a bubo -- hence bubonic plague), fever, chills, extreme exhaustion.
  • Incidence: Ten to 20 persons a year infected in rural areas of Western United States. Globally, 1,000 to 3,000 cases a year.
  • Treatment: Antibiotics. If not treated promptly it can cause death. About 14 percent of all U.S. plague cases are fatal.
  • Place in history: Millions of Europeans died in the Middle Ages when flea-infested rats inhabited homes and workplaces.

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • The vials were destroyed sometime before January 11, sources said, and Butler allegedly did not fill out the required documentation.

    A Texas Tech spokeswoman said Wednesday that it is premature to say what action school officials may take and that it is too early to say whether Butler will be suspended pending an investigation.

    "I hope we'll be able to continue the research," spokeswoman Cindy Rugeley said.

    The vials came from a stock of about 180 vials that are part of a study by Butler, who has more than 25 years' experience with plague research. (Plague treatments)

    Butler earned an undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1962 and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University five years later.

    "This was not weaponized in any way," said Richard Homan, dean of the Texas Tech School of Medicine. "This was material that was obtained through international colleagues of one of our faculty members. It was brought here for further study."

    The vials came from the East African nation of Tanzania, law enforcement sources said.

    They were all classified as plague, and some were classified as bubonic plague. The college received them in April.

    Bacteria and viruses, such as the plague, are widely available to researchers at universities across the United States.

    CNN National Correspondent Susan Candiotti and Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena contributed to this report.


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