PI.com:

In charging documents, federal prosecutors in Seattle claim Blake Howe mailed a letter containing white powder, staples and paperclips to the office of Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., in an attempt to cause damage.

Federal investigators contend Howe admitted to the mailings, saying he was angered by "propaganda" sent to him by DeMint's office. Contacted by phone Thursday, Howe declined to comment on the allegations.

Writing the court, a Seattle-based postal inspector said the U.S. Postal Inspection Service launched an investigation following a May 8 incident in which a postal employee's face was dusted with the white powder while handling Howe's letter to DeMint. Postal inspectors opened the letter two days later.

"A business reply letter was found addressed to Senator Jim DeMint from Blake Howe with a handwritten message stating, 'I hope you choke on your own excrement such as this,'" the postal inspector told the court. "The envelope also contained staples, paperclips, a prong fastener, and loose white powder."