Fla. Inmate Pleads Guilty to Making Fake Federal Anthrax Threat

A Palm Beach County, Fla., jail inmate pleaded guilty to making fake anthrax threats after sending letters containing a powdery substance to the courthouse and state attorney’s office, authorities said Wednesday.

Anthony Vassalotti, 42, pleaded guilty Monday to sending a hoax letter. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing Oct. 19.

Vassalotti sent the letters to an assistant state attorney who had recently prosecuted him, to the judge who presided over the case, and to the court clerk, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

The letters, which also included Vassalotti’s name and return address, were sent March 20, 2006. The powder was later found to be harmless.

Vassalotti was convicted March 8, 2006, of aggravated battery with a firearm, among other charges, and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.