Former congressional candidate arrested for attempting to possess radioactive material

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A former congressional candidate is facing charges for attempting to possess radioactive material with intent to cause death, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday that it arrested 30-year-old Jeremy Ryan.

Court documents alleged that in March and October, Ryan attempted to purchase a lethal dose of a radioactive substance via the internet to kill an unnamed individual.

Officials arrested Ryan in the 700 block of Mills Street in Black Earth without incident Wednesday.

#BREAKING We’re on scene as the FBI searches the house of Jeremy Ryan in the Town of Madison. Court documents allege that in March and October 2018, Ryan attempted to purchase a lethal dose of a radioactive substance via the internet to kill an unnamed individual. #news3 pic.twitter.com/cMmTyOsdx9 — Amy Reid (@amyreidreports) October 24, 2018

Investigators executed a search warrant of his residence in the 300 block of Munn Road in the Town of Madison with the assistance of FBI Milwaukee and the FBI Chicago Hazardous Evidence Response Team.

Cheryl Cummings lives nearby, but says Ryan was one of the neighbors she hadn’t gotten to know, something she normally tries to do. She moved into the neighborhood in 1993 and said this shocks her.

“Life isn’t like it used to be 20 years ago when I moved in,” Cummings said. “Things are different and everybody should pay attention to their surroundings and get to know your neighbors.”

Ryan — dubbed “Segway Boy” for riding around the Capitol during the 2011 protests taunting Republican lawmakers — had attempted a congressional run in 2018 to replace U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan. He lost in the primary against Bryan Steil.

Campaign filings confirm that Ryan filed to run for Congress from the same address where investigators were searching.

Officials said there is no danger to the public. The charge against Ryan carries a maximum term of life in prison.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Wisconsin.

Ryan will be in court for his initial appearance Thursday.

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