Everett man accused of sending 'explosive materials' to White House, FBI, military sites

WASHINGTON  — A 43-year-old Everett man was charged by a criminal complaint in federal court Tuesday with shipping of explosive materials, U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes announced.

The defendant, Thanh Cong Phan, was arrested Monday "after a number of packages containing small amounts of black explosive powder were received at various mail-screening locations in the Washington DC area," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. " The mailings were addressed to the White House, the FBI, and various government and military installations.

"The investigation to locate and isolate all of the packages is ongoing.  No packages have exploded or caused any injuries."

Federal authorities said Phan became a suspect in the case when a U.S. Postal Service inspector traced the tracking information on one of the packages to the Mill Creek, Wash., post office self-service kiosk.

"Surveillance photos from the time of the mailing appeared to show Phan," the news release said. "Writings contained in the package were also similar to previous correspondence from Phan to various government agencies.  Phan had been known to police previously because of the writings, and due to frequent contact with the 911 emergency dispatch system.  Phan was taken into custody without incident."

Shipping of explosive materials is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.