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A man accused of putting envelopes containing a white powder inside about 30 residential mailboxes was Brian Beeson, 25, of Centerville, made his first court appearance Tuesday on federal charges of threatening to use a biological weapon and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction. Federal agents have accused Beeson of placing the envelopes in residential roadside mailboxes in Centerville, Miami Township and Washington Township. The envelopes were found last Tuesday through Friday. The outside of the envelopes said "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays," "You're a winner" and "Just for you," while greeting cards inside contained the powder and messages such as "Now you are sick," "Enough to infect you" and "You're infected," according to an FBI affidavit. One of the envelopes was found at the home of Beeson's mother, Yevetta Castiglione, FBI Special Agent Michael Wiggins said in the affidavit for search and arrest warrants filed in federal court. Tests on the powder determined it was not dangerous, the FBI said. The maker of the greeting cards, Hallmark Cards Inc., told authorities that the cards could be purchased at several stores in the Dayton area. A customer at a Kroger in Centerville bought two packages of the greeting cards and a pack of 10 disposable gloves Dec. 18, the day before the first card was found in a mailbox, Wiggins said in the affidavit. A security camera captured an image of the suspect at the cash register. The Dayton Daily News published the photo Saturday, and Castiglione's mother-in-law called the FBI, Wiggins said. Castiglione and other family members also identified Beeson from the photo, Wiggins said. Beeson was arrested Saturday and remains in custody. In his court hearing Tuesday, he said he understood the charges against him. U.S. attorneys said they will ask for a mental examination of Beeson, who faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Copyright 2006, Associated Press |
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