Oshkosh Man Facing Federal Charge For Making Ricin

The 21-year-old Oshkosh man suspected of making a toxic poison is now facing federal charges. The U.S. Justice Department is charging Kyle Smith with possession of Ricin for an incident on October 31st that shut down the 800 block of Frederick Street and several adjacent streets. A white powdery substance seized at the scene tested positive for Ricin. Two UW-Oshkosh professors tipped police off that Smith, a student at the school, had been asking them about making toxins from plants. Ricin is found in castor bean plants. Smith was charged last week in Winnebago County Court with recklessly endangering safety.