Feds seek culprit who sent 'Black Death' letters

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By Associated Press

Summary

Postal inspectors are trying to determine who mailed a series of threatening letters to faculty members at the University of California, Irvine.

Story Created: Jan 25, 2010 at 2:08 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2010 at 2:08 PM PDT

Feds seek culprit who sent 'Black Death' letters

The hazardous material team prepare to enter the Art Culture and Technology building at University of California, Irvine, Wednesday, Jan. 6. (AP Photo/The Orange County Register, Cindy Yamanaka)

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Postal inspectors are trying to determine who mailed a series of threatening letters to faculty members at the University of California, Irvine.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service said Monday up to $10,000 would be rewarded for tips leading to the conviction of the sender.

The letters were mailed from Idaho around Dec. 21 to five faculty members. Each contained white powder with words "Black Death" on the letter. Officials have not publicly identified the powder but say it was harmless.

Postal Inspection spokeswoman Renee Focht declined to provide any additional information.

Sending threats and hoaxes through the mail is a federal offense.