FBI: Envelope containing white powder was among several sent nationally under investigation
Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, posted a statement Sunday indicating he was the recipient of what the FBI said was a series of suspicious mailings sent nationally.
Whitesides initially posted Sunday morning to social media, regarding a letter that was sent to his Palmdale office in the Antelope Valley.
“On Friday, an envelope containing a suspicious white powder was delivered to my Antelope Valley district office. My staff took immediate precautions and contacted emergency responders,” he wrote in the post. He was not immediately available for comment Monday.
“I’m grateful to the first responders and law enforcement officials who responded to the situation,” he added.
A Palmdale Sheriff’s Station official confirmed that station officials received the report around noon Friday. The station investigated the initial circumstances, contacted the Sheriff’s Enforcement Bureau — the agency’s SWAT unit — as well as the agency’s Hazardous Materials Team, according to Sgt. J. Jimenez of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.
“Deputies responded to a call for service for a suspicious package found in the mailbox of George Whitesides’ office,” Jimenez said Monday in a phone interview. “They secured the scene. SEB was notified with the HazMat team. They responded and secured the package.”
He added that there were no injuries reported and the incident was not believed to have created any public safety threat to the general public.
Jimenez said he was not aware of any other suspicious mailings in the region. A representative for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station indicated there had been no similar reports in their jurisdiction.
The Los Angeles Office of the FBI referred comment on the story to the national press office, which responded Monday morning to indicate there were several suspicious mailings that are part of an ongoing investigation.
There was no motive given, but there were several election offices targeted, with less than three weeks until the Nov. 3 general election.
“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices. Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident. We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. This FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”
