Share
News

Identity of Woman Accused of Attempt To Poison Trump Revealed

Share

The Canadian woman accused of sending President Donald Trump a letter containing the poison ricin has been identified as Pascale Ferrier of Quebec.

According to court papers filed Tuesday, Ferrier sent a letter to the White House and told the president to “give up and remove your application for this election,” the Independent reported.

The letter was intercepted at a U.S. government facility that screens mail addressed to Trump and an investigation indicated that the letter tested positive for ricin, officials told The Associated Press.

Ricin is a highly toxic substance produced from the waste of making castor oil.

Ferrier was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on Sunday near Buffalo, New York, where she is expected to appear in federal court to face charges.

According to law enforcement officials, the woman had a gun on her at the time of her arrestCNN reported.

Are you afraid of poison traveling through the mail?

Cpl. Charles Poirier, the spokesman for the Quebec division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said that the letter sent to the White House was not the only one Ferrier is accused of sending, according to CBC News.

“We believe a total of six letters were sent: one to the White House and five to Texas.”

Hidalgo County, Texas, Sheriff Eddie Guerra confirmed that he and three of his staff received letters tainted with ricin, but luckily no one was hurt.

The fifth letter is believed to have been sent to the Mission, Texas, police department.

Ferrier was arrested in Mission, Texas, in March 2019 for using a fake driver’s license, unlawfully carrying a weapon and resisting arrest, according to court records.

She pleaded not guilty and spent 20 days in jail before the charge was dismissed.

Related:
ABC's Decision to Settle with Trump Came from the Very Top, And It's Causing Internal Problems: Report

While in jail, officials found she had overstayed a six-month visa and violated the terms of her passport by committing a crime. She was then deported, according to The New York Times.

A response on Sept. 9 from a Twitter account with Ferrier’s name allegedly agreed with someone who said they have been waiting years for someone to “shoot trump in the face.” The original tweet has since been deleted.

“I just read this tweet. I agree … Nobody did anything… It’s time to change! #killtrump,” the response said, according to the Independent.

The RCMP conducted a search of a condo in Saint-Hubert in Montreal in connection with the ricin-laced envelopes, although officials have not confirmed Ferrier lived at the residence.

A team of officers with expertise in handling chemicals and explosives led the search in the suburban municipality, and neighbors in the surrounding buildings were evacuated.

Stéphanie Félix, who lives near Saint-Hubert, told CBC she was shocked her quiet neighborhood was at the center of the major police probe worked on by RCMP and the FBI.

“It makes you scared,” she said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it takes a “deliberate act” to try and poison someone with ricin.

There is no known antidote for the poison.

“Because no antidote exists for ricin, the most important factor is avoiding ricin exposure in the first place,” the CDC says.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , ,
Share
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

Conversation