Kansas City man admits sending fake anthrax letter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas City man pleaded guilty Wednesday to sending a fake anthrax threat to one of his former neighbors through the mail.

Robert R. Nye, 38, pleaded guilty to one felony count of threatening communication through the mail, the U.S. attorney's office said. A federal grand jury indicted Nye Nov. 14.

According to the court affidavit, a supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service contacted postal inspectors on Nov. 2 after a mail carrier reported handling a letter that was leaking some type of white powder.

After clearing a south Kansas City post office and examining the letter, investigators determined that the letter did not have the properties of anthrax.

In his plea Wednesday, Nye said the substance in the letter was a prescription antibiotic in powder form.

The letter carrier told investigators he suspected Nye sent the letter because he was aware of previous harassment by Nye against Shearman, the affidavit says.

A total of 102 employee hours were lost at the post office during the investigation, the affidavit says.

Nye could face up to five years in prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. His sentencing has not been scheduled.