A Quebec woman accused of sending a poisoned letter to U.S. President Donald Trump will be held in a Washington D.C.-area jail until her trial.
Pascale Ferrier, 53, who appeared in a Washington D.C. district court by teleconference Wednesday, faces a single charge of threatening the president. She was arrested while trying to enter the States at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo on Sept. 20. Magistrate Judge Robin Meriweather ruled that Ferrier would pose a danger to the community if she is released. The judge said she's worried that if Ferrier is released, she'd try to carry out the threats she is alleged to have made.
Defense lawyer David Bos had argued that Ferrier should be released, citing the fact that the she has no criminal record and the charge she is facing carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Prosecutor Michael Friedman said federal investigations are still underway in Washington and Texas that could lead to further charges for Ferrier, who is alleged to have mailed a letter containing the poison ricin to the White House.