NY inmate's love letters prompt powder scare

[November 21, 2011]  WATERTOWN, N.Y. (AP) -- Two inmates who tried to sweeten their love letters, quite literally, by adding a sprinkling of sugar to the envelopes accidentally touched off a hazardous-materials scare at a prison in upstate New York.

The Watertown Daily Times reports (http://bit.ly/rPBQx3) that authorities noticed something leaking out of the envelopes Friday at the Watertown Correctional Facility, and state police and firefighters were brought in.

In one case it turned out to be sugar. The other was lemonade mix.

The Department of Corrections says one inmate, Jafar Torkpour of Broome County, had added sugar to a note telling a woman he was still "sweet" for her. Another inmate, Desmond McNeil of Queens, did the same thing, telling a woman his love for her was "sweet enough."

Authorities say both men could be disciplined.

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Information from: Watertown Daily Times, http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/

[Associated Press]

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