WASHINGTON — A former Georgetown University student who pleaded guilty to possessing the deadly toxin ricin has been sentenced to a year and one day in prison.
Daniel H. Milzman, whom prosecutors say was partly inspired by the AMC series “Breaking Bad,” pleaded guilty in September. Police arrested him in March.
The 20-year-old will receive credit for the time he has served already. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following his stint in prison. And he was ordered to perform 400 hours of community service during that time with a focus on tutoring underprivileged students in math and physics.
U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson also required Milzman to complete a mental health program.
A plea agreement with prosecutors stipulated that the prison term would be limited to a range of one year and one day to two years.
The federal charge of unregistered possession of a biological agent or toxin carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and $250,000 fine.
His mother wiped away tears as Milzman in an orange, jail-issued jump suit apologized to the court, his family, friends and the school. Milzman said he never intended to hurt anyone.
“I won’t break the law again,” Milzman said.
Defense attorneys say Milzman was depressed and suicidal at the time and planned to use the ricin on himself. But federal prosecutors say Milzman’s use of protective gear while he made the toxin doesn’t lead them to believe he intended to harm himself.
Judge Jackson agreed with the prosecutors’ assessment. But she said that Milzman has a bright future and is now sorry for what he did.
Milzman’s grandfather Joseph Milzman says he isn’t sure what his grandson’s intention were. “I don’t know what was in Danny’s mind, but whatever it was we hope that that’s all behind him now.”
Milzman showed a student resident adviser the ricin. When asked if he planned to use it against a student with whom he previously had a
relationship, Milzman shrugged. Soon after that conversation, police were called to Milzman’s dorm. Milzman told investigators that he had made the substance.
Tests found the ricin could have been lethal to someone weighing as much as 220 pounds.
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WTOP’s Mike Murillo contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on WTOP Facebook page.
