By Denny Walsh
dwalsh@sacbee.com
Marc McMain Keyser, the Sacramento man who perpetrated a nationwide anthrax hoax in 2008, was sentenced today to four years and three months in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. said Keyser "may be dangerous to himself and others," and ordered him taken into custody immediately.
Basing his remarks on the content of Keyser's Internet blog since his conviction last year, the judge said, "He thinks he's a martyr and a messenger of God and a person above the law."
Keyser was found guilty in September by a jury on five counts involving packages with packets of sugar accompanied by ominous messages that he mailed to the Modesto office of Congressman George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and to a Starbucks coffee house and McDonald's fast food restaurant, both in Sacramento.
Keyser admitted at his trial that he sprayed the country with more than 100 packages containing fake anthrax packets directed to media organizations, politicians and retail businesses.
He insisted, however, that he acted only to demonstrate how vulnerable and ill-prepared the United States is for such an attack, and that he did not intend to terrorize.
The government sought five years in prison for Keyser, a 67-year-old retired elementary school teacher and Army veteran with no prior criminal record.
His defense attorney asked that he be placed on probation for five years and ordered to do 2,000 hours of community service.
Call The Bee's Denny Walsh, (916) 321-1189.
Previous coverage:
Sacramentan convicted for sending anthrax hoax messages - Sept. 18, 2009
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