Press Release
MIAMI MAN INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH ANTHRAX HOAX
December 21, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Henry Gutierrez, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, announce the indictment of defendant Andrew Lee Faison, 44, of Miami, Florida, on charges that he sent an envelope to Baptist Hospital containing white powder in an alleged anthrax hoax. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. The defendant is set to be arraigned on the charges on Friday, December 21, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.
According to the affidavit previously filed in support of the criminal complaint, on August 22, 2007, postal employees at the General Mail Facility in Miami, Florida, were processing an envelope addressed to Baptist Hospital when they discovered white powder leaking from the envelope. Postal Inspectors determined that the powder was not hazardous, and investigated the return address on the envelope. The inspectors followed leads to defendant Faison, who stated that he was aware of the mailing of the envelope to the hospital, and had previously contemplated sending an envelope containing marijuana to a corrections facility.
Mr. Acosta commended the quick response of the United States Postal employees and Postal Inspectors for foiling the hoax before the envelope reached the hospital. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Fels.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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