McCain letters not dangerous: officials

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A threatening letter sent to Republican White House hopeful John McCain's headquarters near Denver, Colorado contained a powder substance that posed no danger, officials said Friday.

The letter, which briefly sparked panic among staffers who were hospitalized and placed under quarantine on Thursday, was mailed by a prisoner at a nearby jail, a Secret Service spokesman told AFP.

The letter writer was identified as Marc Harold Ramsey, a 39-year-old who is behind bars on charges of harassment and assault of a police officer.

"He is on record with us and he is known as a prolific letter writer," Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said.

The campaign on Thursday reported that another suspicious letter had been received at its office in...