01 March 2018•Update: 02 March 2018
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
A man from the state of Massachusetts was taken into custody Thursday in connection with a series of letters containing a mysterious white powder that were mailed to five high-profile individuals, including Donald Trump Jr.
Daniel Frisiello, 24, was charged with five counts of false information and hoaxes, and five counts of mailing a threat.
The powder was found to be non-life threatening, prompting the hoaxes charges.
But Trump wife, Vanessa, was sent to the hospital as a precaution after she opened the letter Frisiello allegedly sent to their Manhattan apartment.
"This investigation by the Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force sends a strong message to those who seek to terrorize the public by sending powder letters through the mail. Whether real or a hoax, don’t do it," said FBI special agent in charge Harold H. Shaw.
Frisiello is expected to make his first court appearance at a federal court in Massachusetts on Thursday.
The letter received at Trump apartment contained a note that contained divisive language about the real estate heir.
"You are an awful, awful person, I am surprised that your father lets you speak on TV. You make the family idiot, Eric, look smart. This is the reason why people hate you, so you are getting what you deserve. So shut the [expletive] UP!" the letter read, according to the Justice Department.
The other four people who received letters include interim U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Nicola T. Hanna, a Stanford University professor, a U.S. senator and a congressional candidate.
Letters containing mysterious white powder became a security fear for many Americans in 2001 when anthrax was sent to several news organizations and the offices of two senators, killing five victims and injuring nearly 20 others.
No one was convicted in those crimes.
