Anthrax Hoax Letters Linked to Escaped Patient, Police Say
The letters were sent in August and September
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 | Updated 3:24 PM EST
A 45-year-old man who escaped from a Connecticut hospital has been charged with mailing anthrax hoax letters.
Federal prosecutors say Roy Sastrom was charged with two counts of mailing threatening communications and two counts of perpetrating an anthrax hoax.
The indictment alleges Sastrom sent the letters in August and September to the United States Supreme Court and the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., with a substance and a letter bearing the words "Anthrax Die!"
Tests on the letters were negative.
On May 31, Sastrom escaped from the Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown. He was arrested by Bridgeport Police on June 3. Authorities allege Sastrom sent the letters while detained on criminal charges.
If convicted, Sastrom faces up to 20 years in prison.
