Feds Make Arrest For Tainted Envelopes

DALLAS (AP) _ Federal agents have arrested a Dallas man for allegedly conducting a hoax that involved mailing white powder-filled envelopes to the IRS and Social Security Administration in Austin and Maryland.

Fifty-one-year-old Michael Wayne Patterson appeared before a federal magistrate Friday.

Authorities say they don’t believe Patterson is responsible for the string of white powder mailings known as the “Governors”’ or “Embassy” mailings or those that began in North Texas on August 5.

An affidavit states that an envelope containing white powder sent to an Austin IRS facility Aug. 14, prompted that building’s evacuation. Two days later, Dallas postal workers discovered a Baltimore-bound envelope leaking white powder.

Tests revealed that the powder was baking soda.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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