Federal grand jury indicts Fort Polk soldier for illegally manufacturing, using a chemical weapon

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Fort Polk soldier with manufacturing and detonating a chemical weapon in the Kisatchie National Forest adjacent to the Fort Polk Army installation.

Ryan Keith Taylor, 24, of New Llano, La., was charged with producing, possessing and using a chemical weapon in violation of federal law.  According to the indictment, Taylor manufactured and detonated a chemical weapon on April 12, 2017 in the Kisatchie National Forest that resulted in the release of highly toxic chlorine gas into the atmosphere.

Taylor faces up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

The FBI and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis E. Robinson are prosecuting the case.

 An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.