Columbia Man Faces Federal Charges In Attempted Dark Web Attack

A Columbia man’s pleading guilty, accused of trying to buy a chemical weapon that could kill hundreds of people on the dark web.

In the plea, 45-year-old Jason Siesser admits to trying to get the chemical on two occasions in June and August of 2018.

Investigators with the FBI say Siesser used the name of a child and an unauthorized shipping address and received enough of the chemical to kill around 300 people.

Investigators also say Siesser used Bitcoin to buy the chemical and he took delivery of a package he thought had the chemical inside.

Under federal statutes, Siesser faces five years to life in prison with no parole.