An elderly Ohio man was arrested Friday on suspicion of sending more than 36 fecal-filled letters to state leaders, including Congressman Jim Jordan. rice field.
Richard John Steinle, 77, is a former Court Arbiter for Portage County, and between August and July 29, 2021, will serve all 25 Republicans in the state Senate. and allegedly sent letters to other Republican officials, such as Mr. Jordan. ,according to Cleveland.com.
Mr. Steinle was indicted in federal court on charges of mailing "harmful items." This is a misdemeanor that carries a fine of $100,000 and a maximum of one year in prison.
The Independent has reached out to his public defender for Mr Steinle for comment.
Many of the letters accuse recipients of being "pigs" or "racists," officials said. Mr. Jordan's in particular included a one-dollar bill and a greeting card.
The Independent reached out to members of Congress for comment.
Authorities were able to locate Mr. Steinle, who was released this week on a bond of $20,000 after being tipped off by a former colleague of his.
Mr. Steinle used a variety of return addresses in sending hurtful letters, including those matching the Ohio Ninth Court of Appeals, the FBI's Akron office, and the homes of court of appeals officials. It has been with.
Court of Appeals officials said Mr. Steinle held a grudge against them for not helping him with the case and that the former mediator may have been involved in sending the letter. The former colleague also said Steinle thought the government was watching him.
A 77-year-old man was then put on gloves and posted a letter to a Jordanian MP last month, monitored by post office inspectors. Ohio officials responded to the letter with a mixture of amusement and disgust.
In July, John Fortney, spokesman for the Ohio Senate, told News 5 that the whole situation was "ridiculous."
"I'm really mad about it," Fortney told the outlet. They would rather email it.”
Republican Senator Jay Hottinger told The Columbus Dispatch , said the letter was "vulgar, stupid and immature at the highest level" and called the incident "just a shitty day".
His next appearance in court is August 25. Mr Steinle was dismissed in 2017 after serving more than 17 years. He was fired in 2016 after writing a letter to the editor of a local newspaper without his boss's approval. He and his former employer later reached a confidential settlement.
