Top floor of courthouse evacuated after judge receives threatening letter with white, powdery substance

KRMG has learned that the third floor of the Cherokee County Courthouse in Tahlequah was evacuated shortly after 3 P.M. Tuesday.

Undersheriff Jason Chennault with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says a suspicious letter was received in the offices of the Cherokee County District Court.

The letter was intended for a District 15 judge but was opened by a secretary/bailiff of the Cherokee County District Court.

Chennault says the letter was threatening in nature and the envelope containing the letter also contained a white powdery substance.

Cherokee County deputies evacuated the third floor of the Cherokee County Courthouse and all proceedings of the District Court of Cherokee County for the afternoon were postponed.

Emergency responders later determined that the white powdery substance was talcum powder.

Chennault tells KRMG that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and agents from the District 27 Violent Crime and Drug Task Force are currently investigating the threats along with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.