Oakland man attempted to buy lethal chemical on dark web to kill wife, FBI says

The FBI seal. The FBI seal. Photo: Loop Images/Alan Novelli Photo: Loop Images/Alan Novelli Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Oakland man attempted to buy lethal chemical on dark web to kill wife, FBI says 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

An Oakland man was plotting to kill his wife using a toxic chemical compound, a newly unsealed FBI criminal complaint alleges.

According to the FBI, Sandford Faison attempted to use the dark web in late 2018 to plan a murder and buy a poison to kill his wife, but was unaware that the vendor with whom he was communicating was actually a covert FBI agent.

"I aim to ensure my wife's death within the 18 months, ideally long after our divorce is finalized (about 6-8 months from now)," he wrote in a dark web message board in early Dec. 2018, according to the complaint. "This is the only way I can begin a new life with full custody of my child. We currently live together, and I expect to have (easy) access to her environment and food for another 2 months at least."

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Faison and his wife had been married eight years and had two children together. They have a documented history of domestic disturbances, according to the FBI.

Less than a week after posting his first message, Faison then unknowingly solicited the purchase of the toxic substance from an FBI agent using Bitcoin, asking that it be delivered to an adult store near where he lived in Oakland.

"Newly joined but committed buyer here; figuring out how to fund my wallet, now," he is quoted as writing. "Thought to connect amd (sic) make a few^ inquiries before ordering. How many vials of [toxic chemical] do you have left? Is the packaging inconspicuous, or do you use hazard labels?"

As he awaited the delivery of the toxic chemical, the complaint outlines, he considered ways to get his wife to unknowingly eat or touch the poison, including putting it in the coffeemaker, dropping a little bit into her shoe or onto her foot while she slept, or putting some onto a surface she would touch, like a doorknob or computer keyboard. He ordered lab supplies from Amazon so that he could handle the substance without harming himself, and he weighed the best ways to reduce suspicion of his own culpability.

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The package was delivered on Jan. 9, but was bugged with an "electronic triggering device" so FBI agents could monitor when the package was opened. At 7 p.m. that night, Faison did open the box; an hour later, the FBI presented a search warrant and arrested him. He was charged with attempting to acquire a chemical weapon.

As the bureau concluded, Faison had no professional reason to acquire the substance, as it has "very few legitimate applications" outside of chemical research.

According to the complaint, Faison admitted to purchasing the toxic chemical to use on his wife, with whom he had had marital problems. He also confessed to previously considering using a hitman, but concluded that "would be as expensive as getting a divorce."

Faison is currently in federal custody, awaiting trial.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

