By Ryan Pfeil
Mail Tribune
MEDFORD, Ore. — Suspicious letters sent to at least 20 sheriff’s departments across Oregon — including Jackson County — have so far tested negative for toxic substances, according to the FBI.
“To date, field testing by hazardous materials crews has shown no toxic substance on any letter or in any envelope,” said a statement from the agency. “In addition, at this time there is no evidence of visible powder to be found in any of the envelopes/letters.”
Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer felt a numbness in his lips and burning in his arms after opening one of the letters, prompting him to go to the hospital as a precaution. He was released hours later.
Analysis of the letters and their contents continues at the FBI and Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. FBI officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
“Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, we are not releasing any further information,” the statement reads.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department was evacuated Monday afternoon following the receipt of what they called a “suspicious package” Monday afternoon. The letter came in with the agency’s normal daily mail delivery and sat unnoticed until about 2 p.m., when sheriff’s officials received word of the suspicious letters received by other agency’s and recognized the similarities.
Hazmat crews from Jackson County Fire District No. 3 and the FBI responded to the scene, which closed the department’s White City offices until about 5 p.m. No one at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department required medical aid or was affected by contents of the package, according to department spokeswoman Sgt. Christine Bronson.
Copyright 2015 the Mail Tribune