A MAN in Mississippi has been arrested and charged with allegedly sending a letter containing a lethal toxin to US President Barack Obama and others.
Paul Kevin Curtis, 45, was detained on Wednesday after letters suspected to contain ricin were found addressed to Mr Obama and a senator.
He is scheduled to appear in federal court later, and if convicted could face up to 15 years in prison.
He is reported to have believed he had uncovered a conspiracy to sell human body parts on the black market and claimed "various parties within the government" were trying to ruin his reputation.
A similar letter was sent to Republican Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker and intercepted.
The FBI has said there is no indication of a connection between the letters and Monday's Boston Marathon attack.
An affidavit says the letters sent to Mr Obama, Mr Wicker and a judge in Mississippi told the recipients: "Maybe I have your attention now even if that means someone must die."
Curtis was arrested at his home in Corinth, Mississippi, where he had lived since December.
Both letters were postmarked Memphis, Tennessee.
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