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Hooper: Inmate with mental-health issues sent powder-filled envelope to Nueces County Courthouse

The package was sent to 319th District Court Presiding Judge David Stith, but was opened by a court manager.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — An envelope containing white powder was discovered at the Nueces County Courthouse on Wednesday after a court manager opened the package.

Nueces County Sheriff J.C. Hooper confirmed to 3NEWS on Wednesday evening that the letter was sent by an inmate at the Nueces County Jail who has known mental-health issues.

He declined to give any more information because the investigation is ongoing.

It currently is unclear as to what the substance is, but Hooper's office is now investigating the incident, which happened at around 2 p.m.  

The envelope was addressed to 319th District Court Judge David Stith, whose court sees criminal cases, as well as divorce and civil cases. 

After Stith's court manager opened the letter, security was called to the eighth-floor office to secure it and ensure that everyone was safe. 

"We got a call that one of the courts received a letter that looked suspicious not sure what it was," said Nueces County Deputy David Garcia, who responded to Judge Stith's office. "We immediately went up  there checked it make sure nobody touched it."

Garcia said that the safety of everyone in the courthouse is paramount.

"We still have to take everything seriously no mater what we don't we want to make sure everyone is safe. That is our main objective," he said.

The courthouse was not evacuated as a result of the letter, and 3NEWS is told that at no time did anyone report feeling ill after handling or being in its proximity.

This is a developing story. 3NEWS will update this story as new information becomes available.

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