A Blaine resident, Oleg Petrashov, has admitted guilt to two counts of conveying false information and causing a hoax. The development was shared by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
Court documents reveal that on June 30, 2020, Petrashov mailed a manila envelope containing a powdery substance to the FBI's Brooklyn Park Field Office. Another mailing on November 4, 2022, included a white powder, directed to the same office. These incidents led to examinations for potential explosive and biological threats, causing significant disruption at the FBI field location. The staff had to be temporarily relocated, decontamination processes were initiated, and special agent bomb technicians were brought in for handling the situation.
In April 2023, Petrashov confessed to FBI agents that he was responsible for sending the letters. He admitted to making them appear to come from a family member, whom he was personally in conflict with, with the intention of instigating an investigation against that individual.
Today, Petrashov pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court. Before Judge Laura M. Provinzino, he acknowledged transmitting false or misleading information perceived as biological agents or explosives.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott for Minnesota and Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division.