Denver, CO, May 8, 2015…The Anti-Defamation League commended the Boulder Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office for making an arrest in an incident last month in which threatening letters containing white powder were sent to two Boulder Jewish institutions. Mr. Jeffrey Klinkel, age 32, was arrested on two counts each of felony menacing, explosive/biological hoax and interference with an educational facility. Forensic evidence linked Mr. Klinkel to the April 6 incidents. Chemical analysis showed the powder to be corn starch and/or white flour, and no one was injured. Mr. Klinkel is currently being held in the Boulder County Jail on a bond of $10,000. The investigation is continuing.

Scott L. Levin, ADL Mountain States Regional Director, issued the following statement:

We commend the Boulder Police Department and the Boulder Sheriff’s Office for the work they did over the past month that led to the arrest of a suspect in this incident. We are particularly impressed with the inter-agency cooperation between the Boulder Police Department, the Boulder Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspector which resulted in locating and arresting Mr. Klinkel for these incidents. We hope that in the coming days as formal charges are brought against him, that the Boulder District Attorney will also issue bias-motivated charges if they are found to be warranted.

 

While we are relieved that no one was harmed from the powder that was enclosed in envelopes sent to the Boulder Jewish Community Center and Congregation Har HaShem, they were clearly sent to scare the staff, members and others who may visit these institutions.  These incidents serve as a reminder that we must all be vigilant about security.