Update on Suspicious Letters, July 29

The FBI, Oregon State Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working with affected Oregon counties to determine the origin and nature of a series of suspicious letters that started arriving in the mail on Monday, July 27th. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving a “suspicious letter” as well. To date, field testing by hazardous materials crews has shown NO toxic substance on any letter or in any envelope. In addition, at this time there is no evidence of a visible powder to be found in any of the envelopes/letters. There are approximately 20 known letters delivered and all were addressed to Oregon sheriffs or their offices. Law enforcement is collecting the letters and transporting them all to the FBI and/or the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory for analysis as appropriate. Due to the on-going nature of this investigation, we are not releasing any further information. State Police did interview a man in Eugene Tuesday about the suspicious letters. He was later released, and any charges have been referred to the appropriate district attorney offices.