Man in ricin-letter case pleads guilty to fondling

BRANDON, Miss. (AP) — The man who pleaded guilty last week to sending poison-laced letters to President Barack Obama and other officials has pleaded guilty to unrelated fondling charges.

James Everett Dutschke pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges of sending ricin-laced letters in what authorities described as an attempt to frame a longtime enemy and Elvis impersonator.

His lawyer in the fondling case, Lori Nail Basham, told The Associated Press that Dutschke pleaded guilty Tuesday to three fondling charges.

In the ricin case, the plea agreement calls for Dutschke to be sentenced to 25 years. In the fondling case, prosecutors recommended he serve 20 years. Prosecutors in each recommended the sentences be served concurrently.

Prosecutors in Lee County, Miss., say Dutschke inappropriately touched former students at his martial arts studio in Tupelo.