2012 photo of Michael Dekota McRae (L),  Ako Abdul-Samad.

2012 photo of Michael Dekota McRae (L) and Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad.

A former clerk in the Iowa Legislature has been charged in a white powder hoax at the state capitol in April of 2012.

A grand jury returned charges against Michael Dekota McRae of providing false information and hoaxes after he opened an envelope addressed to State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines that contained white powder.

The envelope also contained a letter and death threat against Abdul-Samad. The release of the white powder resulted in a shutdown of the legislature for around 4 hours until it was determined the powder was harmless.

The grand jury alleges that McRae wrote the letter: McRae Indictment PDF.

A trial has been scheduled for August third.