'It's another crappy day': Investigation underway into feces mailed to Ohio GOP senators
© Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch
An anonymous sender mailed envelopes of feces to all Ohio Republican senators. So far, the envelopes have been intercepted by various post offices across the state.
A federal investigation has been launched after all 25 Republican members of the Ohio Senate were mailed envelopes full of feces on Thursday morning.
The packages were sent almost a week earlier from a Cleveland post office.
The packages were intercepted by Statehouse, Cleveland and Akron post offices before reaching the senators, according to a statement from Ohio House spokesman John Fortney. He wasn't able to say whether similar envelopes had been sent to Ohio House Republicans as well.
The incident is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as a federal crime. Fortney wrote in a statement that the Ohio Highway Patrol has also been notified.
Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, was one of the intended recipients.
"It's gross and stupid; immaturity at its highest level," Hottinger said.
So far, there doesn't seem to be a clear motive as to why the envelopes were sent. But both Ohio senators and representatives were warned to be cautious when opening mail at home.
On a personal level as a Statehouse employee, Fortney said he felt the act was cowardly and not only impacted state senators but also state employees.
Fortney called those who sent the envelopes "pathetic, little cowards."
"They should’ve just sent a selfie, because it’s the same thing," Fortney said. "I’d be more than happy to explain it to them in a parking lot or cornfield of their choice.”
This isn't the first time Hottinger has experienced harassment. Several years ago, he received an anonymous death threat that led to an arrest.
"Just another crappy day," Hottinger said.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'It's another crappy day': Investigation underway into feces mailed to Ohio GOP senators
