McHenry County Blog

Here’s a press release that just arrived from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

McHENRY COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 280 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR ENTICING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY

CHICAGO – A McHenry County man was sentenced to more than 23 years in prison for enticing a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity after he lured her to meet him at a park in Carol Stream in 2007, federal law enforcement officials announced today.

Marcus Tyms, 25, formerly of Union, Ill., was sentenced to 280 months in federal prison, with 10 years of that sentence being imposed because Tyms was a registered sex-offender when he committed the crime.

Tyms was sentenced July 2 by U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur in Federal Court in Chicago, said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

According to court documents, in September 2007, just hours after he re-registered as a sex-offender for a 2005 conviction for indecent solicitation of a child, Tyms was arrested after he met the victim at a park intending to have sex, hit her when she had last-minute doubts, and abandoned her when observed by Carol Stream police who arrested him.

Tyms had met the victim on an online chat service and was in contact with her for approximately three months leading up to their meeting and his arrest, and he had induced her to exchange sexually explicit photographs in the days just before then.

Tyms was indicted in July 2008 for producing child pornography and transferring obscene matter to a minor, in addition to the enticement count, to which he pleaded guilty last December. Judge Shadur

• sentenced Tyms to 160 months on the enticement count and
• imposed a mandatory consecutive 10-year prison term for committing the crime while being a registered sex-offender.
• He also imposed five years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Carol Stream Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, which initially brought charges, later referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Lee and Julie Ruder.

Embedded in the Chicago Sun-Times story about the Lake in the Hills Puffer Fish Poison guy’s motives for ordering enough Tetrodotoxin or TTX to kill upwards of 200 people is this possible motivation:

“Authorities are exploring whether Bachner was targeting his wife. If she died, he could have cashed in her life insurance policy, which was for a ‘substantial amount,’ a source said.”

The information presented to the court by FBI Special Agent Mark R. Mahoney included that the woman that Edward F. Bachner, IV want to have killed was 32 years old.

Here’s the description in Bachner’s encoded email:

“Mark lives in Chicago NW suburb, works in Mount Prospect, IL. Female, 32, no firearms, combat or hand-to-hand training.”

At the time of his arrest Bachner was 35 years old. Three years ago, he would have been 32.

Anyone know how old his wife is?

Meanwhile, the Northwest Herald has started people talking about how voodoo and zombies might be involved.

Can one get a death certificate for a zombie?

Embedded in the Chicago Sun-Times story about the Lake in the Hills Puffer Fish Poison guy’s motives for ordering enough Tetrodotoxin or TTX to kill upwards of 200 people is this possible motivation:

“Authorities are exploring whether Bachner was targeting his wife. If she died, he could have cashed in her life insurance policy, which was for a ‘substantial amount,’ a source said.”

The information presented to the court by FBI Special Agent Mark R. Mahoney included that the woman that Edward F. Bachner, IV want to have killed was 32 years old.

Here’s the description in Bachner’s encoded email:

“Mark lives in Chicago NW suburb, works in Mount Prospect, IL. Female, 32, no firearms, combat or hand-to-hand training.”

At the time of his arrest Bachner was 35 years old. Three years ago, he would have been 32.

Anyone know how old his wife is?

Meanwhile, the Northwest Herald has started people talking about how voodoo and zombies might be involved.

Can one get a death certificate for a zombie?

That’s what the affidavit of FBI agent Mark R. Mahoney says right off the bat:

“…I have learned that Edward F. Bachner, IV has ordered and received large quantities of Tetrodotoxin (‘TTX’), a toxic substance that is a biological agent for purposes of (statute cited) from legitimate United States distributors through the mail using the alias ‘Edward Backer’ by purporting to be a researcher as part of an Illinois company ‘EB Strategic Research.’

“…Additionally, in 2006, Bachner admitted to sending electronic mail (email) messages to various individuals seeking the murder of an unnamed woman.”

Mahoney relates how on June 12th, from a computer in Bachner’s house, an electronic purchase order was placed for 98 grams of TTX with a New Jersey firm, which is named, but which I shall not identify.

TTX is a neurotoxin, 0.7 to 4 milligrams is estimated to kill a person weighing 132-165 pounds, if taken orally.

The cost was $7,056.

The company asked for more verification of the toxin’s intended use in a return email.

The fake doctor’s reply said,

“Need Tetrodotoxin quickly for marine antitoxin research purposes (our current supplier ran into inventory / supply issues and we are on the verge of a breakthrough). $72 / mg plus $30 overnight courier per your site. For long-term customer relationship, we will comply and forward paperwork. In the meantime, what is your maximum quantity for a single purchase? (We need 25 mg asap, preferably tomorrow but can wait until Monday if absolutely necessary.)

“Please ship today and invoice us, or we can pre-pay by express-sending the payment out to you later today. Please advise soon.

“Dr. Edmund Backer, etc.”

The toxin supply company employee replied on June 12th,

“Since you have purchased TTX from a previous supplier in the past, you know the regulations and you know I cannot ship without the proper forms and valid identification.”

The employee contacted the FBI on June 17th, telling the FBI that typical purchases were 2 milligrams.

At the instruction of the FBI, the employee sent this email to the fake doctor on June 18th:

“I am sorry for the delay in following up on this. I was out of town. I am down to my last 12X1mg Asc-054 TTX. Please let me know if you still need it and if this quantity would be acceptable to start with and I will place it on hold. I am waiting for a reply from our lab as to when we will have more in stock.”

The fake doc took the hook and order the amount offered, asking it be delivered the next morning.

On the 20th, the employee was instructed by the FBI to call a number and left a message. Unfortunately, it was to the wrong number.

Then, this email was sent to the Puffer Fish Poison guy:

“We tried to notify you of a quality control issue with the Tetrodotoxin, but evidently there was a typo with the telephone number.

“We are expecting a new batch of TTX on Tuesday of next week. We will be able to ship Tuesday for Wednesday delivery. However, as is out policy, we need to verify your contact information. Please provide a correct phone number at your earliest convenience.”

On June 24, the employee, now identified as a woman for the first time, sent an email with this included:

“Dear Dr. Backer,

“We have not heard back from you with regards to the email below.

“The new batch of TTX is in stock and we would like to ship your order. However, we need your correct phone number for FedEx.

“Please call customer service…before 2:30 today in order for us to schedule pick-up with FedEx for shipment today.”

The next afternoon, Wednesday, June 25th, he replied:

“Please pardon my absence. I was called out of town on urgent family business and I have just now checked my email. The order status – 25mg is fine, so please ship asap for next day am delivery. Thank you.”

The FBI tracked down the box at the Algonquin UPS Store and got the mail awaiting pick-up. A California company had sent what the FBI thought was a check made out to “EB Strategic Research,” Bachner’s fake company.

When contacted, the California firm said it had done business with the (fake) doctor since November, 2006, through May, 2008, filling multiple orders for TTX totally at least 64 milligrams. A company sales rep became concerned when he placed an order to 100 milligrams and declined to fill the order.

The FBI tracked Bachner’s internet provider to 950 Oak Street in Lake in the Hills. The firm is DLS Internet Services.

Surveillance on Bachner’s home at 5704 McKenzie Drive in Lake in the Hills began on June 23rd. It continued on June 24th and 25th.

Among other things found in a public record data base search was that Bachner holds a Firearms Ownership Identification card. Illinois State Police records show Bachner applied to purchase a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer operating out of his home in Lake in the Hills. The FBI also discovered that Bachner purchased a Glock 34, 9 millimeter pistol in November of 2007.

Other articles:

Toxin Neighbor in Lake in the Hills

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Bachner Connection to the Murder Request: “I was bored.”

When the puffer fish toxin guy, Edward F. Bachner, IV, was arrested by the FBI June 30th in western Lake in the Hills, missing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office was the complaint.

That arrived July 1st in amended form.

Here’s the way the arrest went down, according to FBI Special Agent Curtis L. Hampton, and some of what was found in the search of his home:

“On June 30, 2008, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a special agent of the FBI acting in an undercover capacity called Edward F. Bachner, IV on Bachner’s cellular phone and left a voice mail message that informed Bachner that his Federal Express package arrived at the UPS store in Algonquin, Illinois.

“On June 30, 2008, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Bachner went to the UPS Store located at 2417 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin, Illinois, and opened box #302. Prior to his arrival, the FBI had inserted a notice directing Bachner to sign for his Federal Express package with a store employee at the customer counter.

“When Bachner arrived he opened mail box #302 and then approached the customer service counter and spoke to an undercover FBI agent posing as a UPS store customer service employee. The U/C produced 2 paper forms for Bachner to read and sign indicated, among other things that the package contained hazardous materials.

“Bachner appeared to read the forms and signed one page. The U/C then handed Bachner a styrofoam box that contained 1 milligram of Tetrodotoxin in a sealed vial.

“After Bachner took possession of the box containing Tetrodotoxin, he began to leave the store. Once he left the store, several FBI agents approached Bachner and took him into custody.

“On June 30, 2008, FBI agents began to execute a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. That search is ongoing at the time of presentment complaint and is expected to last an indefinite time.

“At present time, agents have located 6 empty Tetrodotoxin vials and in Bachner’s residence, multiple needles and syringes, and a book that with deals (deals with) the effective doses of poisoning people.”

I guess that last paragraph explains why the FBI were wearing hazardous material suits when they searched Bachner’s home.

That’s what the affidavit of FBI agent Mark R. Mahoney says right off the bat:

“…I have learned that Edward F. Bachner, IV has ordered and received large quantities of Tetrodotoxin (‘TTX’), a toxic substance that is a biological agent for purposes of (statute cited) from legitimate United States distributors through the mail using the alias ‘Edward Backer’ by purporting to be a researcher as part of an Illinois company ‘EB Strategic Research.’

“…Additionally, in 2006, Bachner admitted to sending electronic mail (email) messages to various individuals seeking the murder of an unnamed woman.”

Mahoney relates how on June 12th, from a computer in Bachner’s house, an electronic purchase order was placed for 98 grams of TTX with a New Jersey firm, which is named, but which I shall not identify.

TTX is a neurotoxin, 0.7 to 4 milligrams is estimated to kill a person weighing 132-165 pounds, if taken orally.

The cost was $7,056.

The company asked for more verification of the toxin’s intended use in a return email.

The fake doctor’s reply said,

“Need Tetrodotoxin quickly for marine antitoxin research purposes (our current supplier ran into inventory / supply issues and we are on the verge of a breakthrough). $72 / mg plus $30 overnight courier per your site. For long-term customer relationship, we will comply and forward paperwork. In the meantime, what is your maximum quantity for a single purchase? (We need 25 mg asap, preferably tomorrow but can wait until Monday if absolutely necessary.)

“Please ship today and invoice us, or we can pre-pay by express-sending the payment out to you later today. Please advise soon.

“Dr. Edmund Backer, etc.”

The toxin supply company employee replied on June 12th,

“Since you have purchased TTX from a previous supplier in the past, you know the regulations and you know I cannot ship without the proper forms and valid identification.”

The employee contacted the FBI on June 17th, telling the FBI that typical purchases were 2 milligrams.

At the instruction of the FBI, the employee sent this email to the fake doctor on June 18th:

“I am sorry for the delay in following up on this. I was out of town. I am down to my last 12X1mg Asc-054 TTX. Please let me know if you still need it and if this quantity would be acceptable to start with and I will place it on hold. I am waiting for a reply from our lab as to when we will have more in stock.”

The fake doc took the hook and order the amount offered, asking it be delivered the next morning.

On the 20th, the employee was instructed by the FBI to call a number and left a message. Unfortunately, it was to the wrong number.

Then, this email was sent to the Puffer Fish Poison guy:

“We tried to notify you of a quality control issue with the Tetrodotoxin, but evidently there was a typo with the telephone number.

“We are expecting a new batch of TTX on Tuesday of next week. We will be able to ship Tuesday for Wednesday delivery. However, as is out policy, we need to verify your contact information. Please provide a correct phone number at your earliest convenience.”

On June 24, the employee, now identified as a woman for the first time, sent an email with this included:

“Dear Dr. Backer,

“We have not heard back from you with regards to the email below.

“The new batch of TTX is in stock and we would like to ship your order. However, we need your correct phone number for FedEx.

“Please call customer service…before 2:30 today in order for us to schedule pick-up with FedEx for shipment today.”

The next afternoon, Wednesday, June 25th, he replied:

“Please pardon my absence. I was called out of town on urgent family business and I have just now checked my email. The order status – 25mg is fine, so please ship asap for next day am delivery. Thank you.”

The FBI tracked down the box at the Algonquin UPS Store and got the mail awaiting pick-up. A California company had sent what the FBI thought was a check made out to “EB Strategic Research,” Bachner’s fake company.

When contacted, the California firm said it had done business with the (fake) doctor since November, 2006, through May, 2008, filling multiple orders for TTX totally at least 64 milligrams. A company sales rep became concerned when he placed an order to 100 milligrams and declined to fill the order.

The FBI tracked Bachner’s internet provider to 950 Oak Street in Lake in the Hills. The firm is DLS Internet Services.

Surveillance on Bachner’s home at 5704 McKenzie Drive in Lake in the Hills began on June 23rd. It continued on June 24th and 25th.

Among other things found in a public record data base search was that Bachner holds a Firearms Ownership Identification card. Illinois State Police records show Bachner applied to purchase a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer operating out of his home in Lake in the Hills. The FBI also discovered that Bachner purchased a Glock 34, 9 millimeter pistol in November of 2007.

Other articles:

Toxin Neighbor in Lake in the Hills

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Bachner Connection to the Murder Request: “I was bored.”

When the puffer fish toxin guy, Edward F. Bachner, IV, was arrested by the FBI June 30th in western Lake in the Hills, missing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office was the complaint.

That arrived July 1st in amended form.

Here’s the way the arrest went down, according to FBI Special Agent Curtis L. Hampton, and some of what was found in the search of his home:

“On June 30, 2008, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a special agent of the FBI acting in an undercover capacity called Edward F. Bachner, IV on Bachner’s cellular phone and left a voice mail message that informed Bachner that his Federal Express package arrived at the UPS store in Algonquin, Illinois.

“On June 30, 2008, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Bachner went to the UPS Store located at 2417 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin, Illinois, and opened box #302. Prior to his arrival, the FBI had inserted a notice directing Bachner to sign for his Federal Express package with a store employee at the customer counter.

“When Bachner arrived he opened mail box #302 and then approached the customer service counter and spoke to an undercover FBI agent posing as a UPS store customer service employee. The U/C produced 2 paper forms for Bachner to read and sign indicated, among other things that the package contained hazardous materials.

“Bachner appeared to read the forms and signed one page. The U/C then handed Bachner a styrofoam box that contained 1 milligram of Tetrodotoxin in a sealed vial.

“After Bachner took possession of the box containing Tetrodotoxin, he began to leave the store. Once he left the store, several FBI agents approached Bachner and took him into custody.

“On June 30, 2008, FBI agents began to execute a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. That search is ongoing at the time of presentment complaint and is expected to last an indefinite time.

“At present time, agents have located 6 empty Tetrodotoxin vials and in Bachner’s residence, multiple needles and syringes, and a book that with deals (deals with) the effective doses of poisoning people.”

I guess that last paragraph explains why the FBI were wearing hazardous material suits when they searched Bachner’s home.

In western Lake in the Hills, the FBI arrested Edward F. Bachner, age 35, Monday afternoon.

Special FBI Agent Curtis L. Hampton swore that Bachner of 5704 McKenzie Drive

“knowingly possessed a biological agent, toxin or delivery system, namely, Tetrodotoxin, of a type or in a quantity that, under the circumstances is not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, prospective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation press release said,

“Bachner was arrested earlier today, without incident by the members of the Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Algonquin, Illinois as he was attempting to take delivery of a supposed shipment of Tetrodotoxin, which is commonly known as TTX. Bachner was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Rockford with Illinois Possession of a Toxin, which is a felony offense.”

The complaint, which has not yet been released, according to the press release says,

“Bachner, using the alias of Edmond Backer, attempted to purchase 98 milligrams of TTX through a New Jersey chemical company with an internet purchase order. Bachner claimed that he was a doctor doing research for an Illinois company ‘EB Strategic Research.’

“An alert employee of the chemical supplier, whose suspicions were raised due to the large quantity of TTX ordered, notified the FBI in New Jersey, who in turn contacted the Chicago office. Subsequent investigation determined that ‘EB Strategic Research’ was a fictitious company and there was no Doctor Edmond Backer licensed to practice medicine in the State of Illinois.

“Backer was arrested after taking possession of a small quantity of TTX from a Joint Terrorism Task Force member, who was acting in an undercover capacity, while staging a controlled delivery. All of the TTX was recovered and there was no danger to the public.”

Bachner appeared before Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney in Rockford and “ordered held without bond.”

Channel 5 showed a Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Truck and men in hazmat suits entering a cordoned off house.

Other articles:

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Puffer Fish Toxin Man Seeking Murder of Woman in 2006

Bachner Connection to the Murder Request: “I was bored.”

In western Lake in the Hills, the FBI arrested Edward F. Bachner, age 35, Monday afternoon.

Special FBI Agent Curtis L. Hampton swore that Bachner of 5704 McKenzie Drive

“knowingly possessed a biological agent, toxin or delivery system, namely, Tetrodotoxin, of a type or in a quantity that, under the circumstances is not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, prospective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation press release said,

“Bachner was arrested earlier today, without incident by the members of the Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Algonquin, Illinois as he was attempting to take delivery of a supposed shipment of Tetrodotoxin, which is commonly known as TTX. Bachner was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Rockford with Illinois Possession of a Toxin, which is a felony offense.”

The complaint, which has not yet been released, according to the press release says,

“Bachner, using the alias of Edmond Backer, attempted to purchase 98 milligrams of TTX through a New Jersey chemical company with an internet purchase order. Bachner claimed that he was a doctor doing research for an Illinois company ‘EB Strategic Research.’

“An alert employee of the chemical supplier, whose suspicions were raised due to the large quantity of TTX ordered, notified the FBI in New Jersey, who in turn contacted the Chicago office. Subsequent investigation determined that ‘EB Strategic Research’ was a fictitious company and there was no Doctor Edmond Backer licensed to practice medicine in the State of Illinois.

“Backer was arrested after taking possession of a small quantity of TTX from a Joint Terrorism Task Force member, who was acting in an undercover capacity, while staging a controlled delivery. All of the TTX was recovered and there was no danger to the public.”

Bachner appeared before Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney in Rockford and “ordered held without bond.”

Channel 5 showed a Huntley Fire Protection District Fire Truck and men in hazmat suits entering a cordoned off house.

Other articles:

Puffer Fish Toxin Guy Had Empty Poison Vials, Needles and Book Telling How Much Needed to Kill People

Puffer Fish Toxin Man Seeking Murder of Woman in 2006

Bachner Connection to the Murder Request: “I was bored.”

Yesterday I gave you too much—the entire U.S. Attorney’s press release on the indictment of the newest round of Chicago employees in the business of shaking down contractors and builders.

Today, I’ll add a tid bit I found in a footnote on page 7 of the criminal complaint by FBI Agent Tom Simon against architect Ronald Piekarz and MacArthur Milam.

“Cooperating Witness 1 has provided information about bribery activities about thirty individuals.”

Beginning June 4, 2007, with the exception of several weeks in January, through March 28, 2008, his every cellular phone call on his business phone has been taped by United States Postal Inspectors.

Let’s see.

15 indicted.

15 to go.

“Here we go again,” as U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said.