Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508280067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NASHVILLE, TENN. LENGTH: Medium
Dr. Ray Mettetal Jr., 44, of Harrisonburg, Va., had a fake ID and was carrying a syringe filled with liquid in his briefcase.
Federal authorities charged him Thursday with making false and fictitious statements to the U.S. Postal Service, stemming from false information concerning a post office box, police spokesman Don Aaron said.
Metro Nashville police said they believe Mettetal may have been after Dr. George Allen, chairman of the neurosurgery department at Vanderbilt, and the doctor who attended to the mother of Vice President Al Gore during her stroke and heart attack about two months ago.
Police said Mettetal resigned from Vanderbilt nearly a decade ago after some differences with Allen. Those familiar with the incident said Mettetal has blamed Allen for his rough time at Vanderbilt and may have come back seeking vengeance, officials said.
Aaron said when hospital security confronted the doctor Tuesday, it was apparent he was disguised.
``He was wearing a wig, fake mustache, beard, padding around his middle to appear heavier and wearing lifts in his shoes to give himself more height,'' he said.
At that time, Mettetal was held on a trespass warrant. The federal charges were added Thursday.
He identified himself as Steve Maupin and was carrying a round-trip airline ticket, police said. He had flown to Nashville early Tuesday morning and had a return flight later that same day.
Mettetal was also carrying a driver's license for the British West Indies in the name of Maupin, Aaron said.
``We don't know yet if that license is bogus or real,'' he said.
Aaron said the liquid in the syringe is being analyzed.
by CNB