Inmate getting additional prison time after sending white powder letters to judge, DA's office

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - An inmate from Springfield has been sentenced to an additional four to five years in prison after sending two threatening letters containing a white powder to a judge and the Hampden County DA’s office.

Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that on Thursday, Derick Maldonado, 38, pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the incident, which happened on September 20, 2011 .

Maldonado was in prison serving an unrelated charge when he sent two letters containing threatening statements and a white powder to the Hampden County Hall of Justice. A hazardous materials team was called-in and part of the building had to be cordoned-off after the letter to the DA’s office was opened. The letter sent to the judge was intercepted before it was opened by staff.

Testing determined that the powder in question was palmitic acid; an ingredient commonly found in soap.

Maldonado had been charged with two counts of possession or control of a hoax device or material, and use of threat of dangerous chemical and biological agent to cause evacuation or serious disruption of a building. He will serve the additional four to five year sentence following his prison term on the unrelated charges. He has also been ordered to pay $5,951 in restitution for the hazardous materials response.