WASHINGTON (AFP) — A threatening letter sent to Republican White House hopeful John McCain's headquarters near Denver, Colorado contained a powder substance that posed no danger, officials said Friday.
The letter, which briefly sparked panic among staffers who were hospitalized and placed under quarantine on Thursday, was mailed by a prisoner at a nearby jail, a Secret Service spokesman told AFP.
The letter writer was identified as Marc Harold Ramsey, a 39-year-old who is behind bars on charges of harassment and assault of a police officer.
"He is on record with us and he is known as a prolific letter writer," Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said.
The campaign on Thursday reported that another suspicious letter had been received at its office in Manchester, New Hampshire, but later said it contained no threat or powder.
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