Six states across the country, including Iowa, received suspicious letters Friday addressed to the governor’s office. That brings the total to around 30 states that have recently received the letters containing a powdery substance. F-B-I special agent Jerry Ingrisano says tests on the Iowa letter followed the results found in other states. "The powder is negative and we believe it is corn starch," Ingrisano told reporters late Friday afternoon.
A small section of the State Capitol building was shut down for about four hours as hazmat crews from the Iowa National Guard analyzed the letter and its contents. "The 71st Civil Support Team tested for chemical, biological and radiological substances which all came back negative. There have been no injuries associated with this incident," Ingrisano said.
Agent Ingrisano would not say where the letter sent to Iowa’s Governor came from, but acknowledged it was similar to the other letters that came from Texas. Iowa State Patrol Lieutenant Mark Logsdon says the FBI had warned Iowa authorities about the possibility of receiving such a letter. Logsdon says they had hoped the letter would be stopped at the main post office. However, the envelope made it to the statehouse and was partially opened there before authorities were notified. So far, no arrests have been made.