Bomb explodes in District Attorney Janice Steidley's home mailbox

Someone planted an explosive device in the home mailbox of District Attorney Janice Steidley Tuesday, triggering a blast which burned up the family's mail but luckily didn't hurt anyone.

"You know I let my kids go out and get the mail," she told KRMG in an exclusive interview. "Thank goodness on that day, I didn't have my kids go out and get the mail."

She said so far, investigators have determined it was likely a mortar-type firework.

She's concerned that someone deliberately targeted her home.

"Someone definitely wanted to relay a message to me," she said, because the bomb went off at her home. "I don't take that as a coincidence, I think it was definitely deliberate."

She told KRMG that U.S. Postal inspectors are investigating, adding "in fact they say they've never seen anything like it."

Her mailbox is extremely strong, so the blast did not penetrate it.

A normal mailbox would likely have been completely destroyed, she said.

"They are trying to get any type of tapes or video from around the area and talking to witnesses," she said.

The crime includes violations of federal law, and could lead to serious consequences.

"It actually is a federal offense," Steidley said.

Steidley is the D.A. for District 12, which includes Rogers, Mayes, and Craig Counties.

Just yesterday, she was exonerated by a grand jury after an exhaustive investigation of over 20 crimes which were allegedly committed by her and her staff.

The Bar Association and a judge have also cleared Steidley and her office of any wrongdoing.