National Post (National Edition)
Quebec woman charged with threatening to kill Trump
SENT `SPECIAL GIFT'
A Quebec woman arrested at the U.S. border Sunday charged with threatening to kill U.S. President Donald Trump called him an “Ugly Tyrant Clown” in a letter containing toxic ricin mailed to the White House, U.S. authorities allege.
Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier made explicit threats in the letter, writing that if the poison didn't kill Trump, she would try a better recipe or use a gun, according to a criminal complaint and sworn affidavit filed in court that outlines the probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On Sept. 18, the U.S. Secret Service alerted the FBI’s Washington, D.C., field office that a letter addressed to “Donald J. Trump, The White House,” mailed and postmarked from Canada, had arrived at the White House mail sorting facility, court documents say.
It contained a white powdery material.
According to the allegations, the letter inside read in part: “I found a new name for you: `The Ugly Tyrant Clown' I hope you like it. You ruin USA and lead them to disaster. I have US cousins, then I don't want the next 4 years with you as president. Give up and remove your application for this election.
“So I made a ‘Special Gift’ for you to make a decision,” it allegedly went on. “This gift is in this letter. If it doesn’t work, I’ll find better recipe for another poison, or I might use my gun when I’ll be able to come.
“Enjoy! FREE REBEL SPIRIT.”
The FBI tested the powder and confirmed it was toxic ricin.
Investigators learned of six additional letters that appeared similar to the White House threat, via other FBI field offices in Texas. These letters were received on Sept. 15 to 16 and also had been postmarked in Canada and also contained a powdery substance.
IF IT DOESN'T WORK I WILL FIND A BETTER RECIPE.
“The letters contained similar language to the letter sent to the President and were addressed to individuals affiliated with facilities at which the defendant had been housed while incarcerated in Texas in 2019.
“Each of the letters contained the statement referencing: ‘if it doesn’t work I will find a better recipe’ and all contained similar material to the material found in the letter received,” at the mail-sorting facility, the FBI complaint says.
Pascale’s problems in Texas were her undoing, it has emerged.
The FBI searched for people with Canadian connections who had recently been arrested and jailed by the Texan police agencies that were targeted.
The search turned up Ferrier’s arrest by Mission Police Department in Mission, Tex., on March 13, 2019, for weapons possession. She was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after the charge was dealt with, the document says.
An examination of letters showed other similarities, including the sign off of “FREE REBEL SPIRIT” and a “special gift for you.”
Four of the letters found in Texas revealed latent fingerprints, the FBI says. An analysis revealed a match to Ferrier’s prints.
The FBI also searched social media accounts and found Facebook and Twitter postings that referenced “#killTrump” and discussed the pejorative “Ugly Clown Tyrant.”
Both Facebook and Twitter accounts used the registration address of Pascale.
Ferrier@gmail.com, according to the court documents.
Ferrier surrendered Sunday afternoon to U.S. authorities at the border. She crossed the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, Ont., into Buffalo, N.Y., but stopped short of the inspection booth, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“Officers responded to the vehicle and engaged the driver. The individual, identified as Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier, told officers she was wanted by the FBI for mailing envelopes with ricin to the White House and other locations,” Morgan said.
She allegedly carried a loaded gun in her waistband and had ammunition and a knife.
“Officers immediately disarmed Ferrier, secured the weapons, arrested her, and co-ordinated with the FBI for further investigation.”
The criminal complaint and sworn affidavit were filed in court ahead of Ferrier’s Tuesday court appearance in Buffalo. It was prepared and signed by FBI Special Agent Jonathan Preston and filed in Washington, D.C. Preston works with an FBI squad that responds to weapons of mass destruction and explosive precursor and bombing incidents.
“There is probable cause to believe that the defendant knowingly and willfully threatened to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States,” Preston’s sworn affidavit says.
Threatening the president is a federal felony under U.S. law punishable by up to five years in prison and a US$250,000 fine. It is possible she could face additional charges for the ricin as well as for the gun and knife.
Ferrier had a short appearance in court, where she had a French-language interpreter by her side and a plea of not guilty was entered.
U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. asked Ferrier if she intended to hire a lawyer of her choosing or ask for a public defender to be assigned because of financial hardship.
Ferrier said she would like a public defender. Fonda Kubiak was assigned the case.
Through Kubiak, Ferrier asked for an identity hearing to determine she is the person named in the criminal complaint, arrest warrant and sworn affidavit. She also asked for a preliminary hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Lynch said the government requests she remains in custody, saying Ferrier faces a charge for a crime of violence and is a “serious risk of flight.”
Schroeder set all matters to be heard on Sept. 28.