15
Dec
2015
DES MOINES, IA - On December 14, 2015, Michael Dekota McRae, 28, appeared before the Honorable John A. Jarvey and pled guilty to conveying false information concerning a biological weapon, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel.
According to the plea agreement, McRae, a former legislative clerk to Iowa State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, admitted to writing a threatening letter addressed to
Representative Abdul-Samad. The letter contained racial slurs and threats to kill both McRae and Representative Abdul-Samad. McRae subsequently inserted the letter, along with a white powdery substance, into an envelope which he placed into a legislative mail receptacle. On April 3, 2012, McRae opened the threatening letter on the chamber floor during an active session of the Iowa Legislature. When McRae opened the letter, the white powder was released and came into contact with McRae and Representative Abdul-Samad.
McRae also admitted in the plea agreement that he intended the white powder simulate a biological agent or toxin, and he perpetrated the hoax for the purpose of creating fear in others.
McRae is scheduled to be sentenced before Chief Judge Jarvey on March 25, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Des Moines, Iowa. Conveying false information concerning a biological weapon is a felony that carries up to five years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine. McRae may also be required to reimburse the state for costs associated with the commission and investigation of this crime.
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According to the plea agreement, McRae, a former legislative clerk to Iowa State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, admitted to writing a threatening letter addressed to
Representative Abdul-Samad. The letter contained racial slurs and threats to kill both McRae and Representative Abdul-Samad. McRae subsequently inserted the letter, along with a white powdery substance, into an envelope which he placed into a legislative mail receptacle. On April 3, 2012, McRae opened the threatening letter on the chamber floor during an active session of the Iowa Legislature. When McRae opened the letter, the white powder was released and came into contact with McRae and Representative Abdul-Samad.
McRae also admitted in the plea agreement that he intended the white powder simulate a biological agent or toxin, and he perpetrated the hoax for the purpose of creating fear in others.
McRae is scheduled to be sentenced before Chief Judge Jarvey on March 25, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Des Moines, Iowa. Conveying false information concerning a biological weapon is a felony that carries up to five years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine. McRae may also be required to reimburse the state for costs associated with the commission and investigation of this crime.
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