DENVER - FBI agents have arrested a Denver area man suspected of sending white powder to multiple governmental offices including the offices for U.S. Senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and the local office of Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Aurora.)Oh well, at least he didn't fly a plane into any government buildings, or electrocute anyone...
The suspect, Jay Devaughn, of Denver, faces a federal charge of mailing threatening communications and was told he could face up to five years in federal prison and up to a $50,000 fine.
He is due back in court on Wednesday for a detention hearing. His preliminary hearing is set for March 10.
Many details about the white powder have not been released, but 9Wants to Know has learned the mailings happened during 2009. Officials will not say if the mailings were sent to Sen. Udall and Sen. Bennet's local or Washington D.C. offices.
Coffman spokesman Nat Sillin said the powder came in an envelope mailed to the Congressman's Lone Tree office. The envelope arrived Nov. 24, 2009.
The envelope contained one sheet of tri-folded white paper. There was nothing written on the paper, Sillin said.
"Postal inspectors came out and determined the powder wasn't dangerous and was not toxic," Sillin said.
9Wants to Know has also learned other leaders may have been targeted by the mailings.
Devaughn is in custody of the United States Marshal Service. FBI agents arrested him Friday at Porter Hospital, a day after his attorney says Devaughn checked himself in for a mental health evaluation.
"My No. 1 priority is getting his [Devaughn's] mental health issues addressed," John Scipione, Devaughn's attorney said.
Scipione says his client has not received the mental health medications prescribed to him at Porter Hospital.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jacki Kelley says Devaughn is receiving his medications.
Scipione said his client checked himself into the hospital after several search warrants were conducted including one at his office at the Community College of Aurora.
Devaughn worked at the community college as the director of library services. (Read More)
I wonder if he'll be considered a hero?
WHITE POWDER!!
H/T Oliver Willis
