A Utah woman was arrested after she allegedly purchased a "biological weapon of mass destruction" online. Officials did not say identify what 50-year-old Janie Lynn Ridd bought but assured the public she had no intention of using the biological agent in an attack.
“Law enforcement officials became aware of Ridd attempting to purchase a possible biological agent. They were able to safely monitor Ridd’s activity. After which, Ridd was arrested. There was never a threat to the general public prior to, or after, Ridd’s arrest,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
Ridd's arrest was the result of a joint investigation by local and federal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Authorities did not say why Ridd purchased the biological agent and said they would release more details about the case when she is formally charged.
Photo: Salt Lake County Jail