United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL GRAND JURY CHARGES MAN WHO POSSESSED CYANIDE

If Convicted Defendant Could Face Up to Life in Prison

AMARILLO, Texas — A federal grand jury in Amarillo returned a three-count indictment today charging Jeffrey Don Detrixhe, 38, of Higgins, (Lipscomb County), Texas, with felony charges stemming from his arrest last month on charges in a federal criminal complaint that he possessed sodium cyanide, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. That complaint specifically charged Detrixhe with knowingly acquiring, transferring and attempting to transfer, receive, stockpile, retain, own, possess, use and threatening to use sodium cyanide. Today’s indictment charged Detrixhe with two counts of prohibition against chemical weapons and one count of an unlawful user or addict of a controlled substance in possession of firearms.

FBI agents executed a search warrant at Detrixhe’s residence in Higgins on Monday, May 12, 2008, and discovered a container of material suspected to be sodium cyanide. Detrixhe was arrested the same day without incident in Holly Creek, Oklahoma. He has been in custody since his arrest.

The indictment alleges that from June 2007 through May 12, 2008, Detrixhe did knowingly acquire, transfer and attempt to transfer, receive, stockpile, retain, own, possess, use, and threaten to use a chemical weapon, approximately 62 pounds of sodium cyanide. He had no peaceful, protective, military or law enforcement purpose for having the sodium cyanide.

Count two of the indictment alleges that on April 25, 2008, Detrixhe did knowingly acquire and transfer a chemical weapon, approximately 76.9 grams of sodium cyanide, and at the time, had no peaceful, protective, military and law enforcement purpose for the sodium cyanide.

Count three of the indictment alleges that Detrixhe, an unlawful user or addict of a controlled substance, knowingly possessed eight firearms, including four rifles, one shotgun, one 9mm semiautomatic pistol, one 357 magnum revolver and one 38 caliber revolver.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on counts one or two of the indictment, Detrixhe faces a maximum statutory sentence of any term of years, including life, and a $250,000 fine, per count. If convicted on count three of the indictment, Detrixhe faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Drake of the Amarillo, Texas, U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

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