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Crime & Safety

Man Who Mailed White Powder to Two Peninsula Cities Pleads Not Guilty

San Leandro resident Phillip Harold Adams Jr. caused evacuations at San Carlos and South San Francisco City Hall this summer.

A San Leandro man who allegedly caused evacuations at two Bay Area
city hall buildings by sending envelopes full of white powder has pleaded not guilty to charges against him in San Mateo County Superior Court.

Phillip Harold Adams Jr., 37, who has a history of mental problems, allegedly sent a legal-sized envelope containing white powder to San Carlos City Hall on June 20, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

A city employee who was seven months pregnant opened the letter and got the substance on her hands and arms, Wagstaffe said. She was "very scared" by what she thought she had been exposed to, according to Wagstaff.

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On July 5, a letter containing white powder was sent to City Hall in South San Francisco, causing two women to be exposed.

Hazardous materials teams were dispatched to both incidents and rooms were evacuated, according to the district attorney's office.

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The white substance was determined to be foot powder.

Walker's name was apparently on the envelopes and investigators found him staying at the Golden Bear Inn, according to the district attorney's office.

White foot powder was found in a search of the suspect's room.

Walker was arrested and charged with two felony counts of sending a fake weapon of mass destruction for the purpose of scaring the recipients.

He remains in custody on $100,000 bail.

His trial is scheduled to start on Jan. 3.

- Bay City News

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