Ulster man accused of stockpiling chemical weapons

Ruby resident Martin Kimber, a 59-year-old retired pharmacist, has been indicted on federal charges of chemical weapon stockpiling. He is currently being held in jail while awaiting trial, and a federal judge has deemed him too dangerous to release on bail.

On March 29, Kimber was arrested for allegedly putting poisonous mercury into food being served in the cafeteria at the Albany Medical Center. At least one person ate the mercury-laced food, and was treated in the hospital's emergency room.

According to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, a search of Kimber's home in April revealed canisters of mercury, 21 guns, and propaganda supporting domestic terrorism:

A complaint filed in support of an arrest warrant was unsealed on April 26, 2012. It alleged that a search warrant was executed at Kimber’s house and automobile. Besides the seizure of two canisters of mercury, the complaint further alleged that approximately 21 guns were removed from Kimber’s residence. Literature reflecting sympathy for domestic terrorism (The Turner Diaries) was observed during the search, which states on the cover page, “This book contains racist propagnda” and “The FBI said it was the blueprint for the Oklahoma City bombing. Searching officers further observed a Nazi swastika on a wall of Kimber’s home.

The investigation also revealed that on three occasions in 2011 -- March 28, April 11, and June 23 -- mercury was spread around the hospital on days when Kimber traveled from his home in Ruby, New York and exited at the get-off for the Albany Medical Center. Investigators established Kimber's whereabouts on those days by examining New York State toll records.

The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that Kimber may have committed the attempted poisonings at Albany Medical Center because he was upset about a medical bill:

The indictment alleges that in December 10, 2010 and December 23, 2010, Kimber received medical care at the Albany Medical Center and that on January 24, 2011, he wrote to complain about having to pay for his treatment. It further alleges that on February 22, 2011, the Albany Medical Center Associate Medical Director wrote back to explain why the bills were appropriate and discussed the outcome associated with the defendant having provided inaccurate information about his injury and his decision not to complete the care proscribed by his treating physician.

If convicted, Kimber faces possible life imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for each of three offenses.