NEWS RELEASE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN SIX YEARS IN PRISON FOR THREATENING TO USE A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION

United States Attorney John L. Brownlee announced today that Jeffrey Scott Hertter, age 26, was sentenced to six years and five months in prison for threatening to use Anthrax, a weapon of mass destruction. Hertter was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Norman K. Moon in United States District Court in Charlottesville.

“Mr. Hertter made very serious threats against members of our law enforcement community. We want to make it clear that anyone who tries to intimidate others in this manner will be brought to justice,” said United States Attorney John Brownlee.

Hertter plead guilty pursuant to a plea agreement on January 27, 2006, to threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction.

According to evidence presented by the United States, while in prison in Virginia on state charges, on May 12, 2004, Hertter sent a letter to Detective Tammy Miller of the Hagerstown, Maryland Police Department. In the letter, Hertter stated that the envelope contained the biological agent Anthrax. Upon receipt of the letter, The Hagerstown, Maryland, detective office had to be evacuated and a hazmat team was called to respond. The white powder that was found in the envelope was later determined to be soap shavings.

The case was investigated by the Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jake Jacobsen prosecuted the case.