FAYETTEVILLE — A Siloam Springs man who was convicted on 56 counts of mailing a white powder and threatening letters to schools and businesses in northwestern Arkansas has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge said Wednesday that Philip Hanson was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jimm Larry Hendren.
Hanson was convicted in September of sending the powder and letters in 2011 to schools, banks, a post office and to a business where he had once worked before being laid off in 2009. Investigators say the powder turned out to be baking soda and no injuries were reported.
Hanson pleaded not guilty to the charges. He represented himself at trial -- but did not testify nor call any witnesses.