Plague Expert Begins Federal Prison Term
From Times Wire Reports
The former Texas Tech researcher federal prosecutors claimed was responsible for a 2003 plague scare in Lubbock, Texas, reported to a federal prison to start a two-year term, a prison spokesman said.
Dr. Thomas Butler, 63, a renowned expert on the plague, was convicted in December for drawing up fraudulent research contracts and improperly shipping samples of the deadly bacteria overseas. He was found innocent of almost all charges relating to the plague scare, including making false statements to the FBI.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.