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A US soldier was sentenced on Monday to more than 11 years in jail for manufacturing, detaining and detonating a chemical weapon in the Kisatchie National Forest, near the Fort Polk Army facility in Louisiana.
The imprisonment of Ryan Keith Taylor, a 24-year-old soldier in Fort Polk, will be followed by five years of supervised release, the Department of Justice said Monday in a statement. The sentence was announced by Deputy Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and US Attorney David C. Joseph for the District of Louisiana. It was published by US District Judge Jay C. Zainey.
"Taylor produced and blew a chemical bomb near Fort Polk, causing injuries to his comrades who reacted and investigated the incident. Today's punishment holds Taylor responsible for his crime and makes it clear that we will not tolerate such behavior. I would like to thank the officers and prosecutors who are responsible for this outcome and our military and local law enforcement partners for their significant contribution to this investigation, "said Mr. Demers.
Taylor blew up an explosive device containing chlorine gas on April 12, 2017 in the National Forest. Three soldiers who were doing a training exercise nearby heard the explosions and rushed to the scene where they found Taylor standing near his vehicle filming the explosion with his mobile phone. The soldiers then questioned Taylor and reported the incident to the military police.
Investigators from the Fort Polk Military Police arrived at the scene and took samples. One of the investigators filled a plastic bag with a rock covered with an unknown substance. The bag immediately jumped and the investigator's plastic gloves and boots began to melt. His skin began to burn and he had trouble breathing, according to the statement.
Taylor was detained and his vehicle was checked. During the search, remnants of the explosive device and chlorine residues were found. Another investigator who inhaled and touched the remains was hospitalized. During the investigation, the authorities also found bomb-making notes, materials and chemical residues in his vehicle, his apartment and his warehouse.
The two people who inhaled the chlorine gas had to be treated several times and that ended their military career.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the US Army Emergency Department, the military police, the criminal investigation department, the military intelligence and counterintelligence of Fort Polk, the force the FBI, the Louisiana Police, the Police and Fire Department.
"Supporting and protecting our soldiers is of utmost importance to my office. Those who serve our country risk their lives every day to protect us. They must not be endangered unnecessarily. The chemical weapon created by the accused in this case is prohibited by international and national laws because of its terrible effects on the human body. I want to thank our US, federal and local armed forces for their efforts to investigate this case and bring this accused to justice, "said lawyer Joseph.
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