FBI probes letters sent to election offices in handful of states, including Nevada

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office says federal authorities, as part of a nationwide investigation, alerted election officials of “suspicious letters addressed to elections offices in multiple states, including Nevada.” 

CBS News reported Thursday that a senior U.S. official said about a dozen letters were sent to addresses in California, Georgia, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state. 

Envelopes addressed to election officials in Washington state contained fentanyl that was deemed not to be a threat, according to news reports, and a message about stopping the election. 

“We are aware of the reports of suspicious letters addressed to election offices in multiple states, including Nevada, and we are in communication and coordinating with federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Service, the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Governor,” the Secretary of State’s office said in a news release Thursday. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time.” 

It’s unknown whether Nevada officials received a letter or if it was intercepted by the FBI or U.S. Postal Service. The state directed media inquiries to the FBI Las Vegas office. The FBI did not immediately respond to questions about the investigation. 

CBS reports investigators believe the letters originated in the Pacific Northwest.