Statement from U.S. Attorney John H. Durham on Ongoing White Powder Letter Investigation

The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, Hartford Police Department anjd New Haven Police Department, in coordination with other federal, state and local law enforcement and emergency services agencies, continue to investigate several incidents of letters containing white powder that were mailed to government facilities and non-governmental organizations in Connecticut and elsewhere in the U.S., and began arriving on September 5, 2018.  It is alleged that many of these letters were mailed by an individual who has been in federal custody since his arrest, for alleged violations of his supervised release, on September 5.

Through the course of the investigation, investigators have seized unmailed letters, notified numerous potential recipients of letters, and successfully removed some letters from the mail stream prior to their delivery.  However, letters continue to arrive in various locations.

Although the seized and retrieved letters have caused no illness or injuries to date, we strongly urge anyone who receives a suspicious letter or package not to handle it further, and immediately call 911.  This will permit law enforcement and emergency services personnel to investigate the matter safely.

Finally, I note that these letters have caused emotional distress for recipients and have consumed valuable time and resources of our first responders.  This crime, and others like it, will be vigorously prosecuted.