Lorain County inmate sends letter with white powder to judge in Summit County

AKRON, Ohio - An inmate in Lorain County sent a letter to a Summit County judge with white powder in it, causing a hazmat team to respond to the courthouse.

The letter was addressed to Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands and arrive don Wednesday, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said a bailiff opened the letter and it contained a white power in it. The letter was sent from Deaerre Smith, an inmate at the Lorain Correctional Facility who was sentenced by Judge Rowlands.

Emergency crews and a hazardous materials team responded to the courthouse, and later identified the substance as talcum powder.

The sheriff’s department said Judge Rowlands had previously received letters from Smith in the past containing hair.

Smith is a registered sex offender, according to investigators. More charges are pending as result of this incident.