Texas Man Sentenced for Mailing Hoax Threats
Donald Ray McCray received 210 months in federal prison for sending threatening letters to courthouses.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Crime — General
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Judge Brantley Starr sentenced 67-year-old Donald Ray McCray to 210 months in federal prison for mailing hoax biological weapons and threats to federal judges. The conviction follows a series of incidents in 2025 involving threatening letters containing white powder.
Why it matters
The sentencing addresses the severe security risks posed to federal employees and judicial officers by individuals sending threatening materials to government facilities. McCray faces additional legal proceedings in state court following his federal term.
Donald Ray McCray was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison plus three years of supervised release. He remains slated to return to state custody to face pending charges for attempted murder.
The players
Donald Ray McCray
He is a 67-year-old defendant convicted for mailing threatening communications and hoax biological weapons.
Brantley Starr
He is the federal judge in the Northern District of Texas who presided over the case and delivered the sentence.
The details
McCray was found guilty of four counts after mailing letters filled with white powder to courthouses in Fort Worth and Amarillo, Texas. He also made direct verbal threats against government employees during a federal court appearance.
Timeline
In March 2025, McCray sent letters containing white powder.
A federal grand jury indicted McCray in June 2025.
On April 15, 2026, a federal jury convicted him on four counts.
Judge Brantley Starr imposed the sentence on September 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows established federal statutes governing the mailing of threatening communications and biological hoaxes. It highlights how the justice system prosecutes threats against government officials to maintain the security of federal courthouses.
The resolution of this case reaffirms the security protocols currently in place at federal courthouses across the Northern District of Texas. Residents and court visitors should expect standard security measures to continue as officials remain vigilant against threats.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder that federal authorities aggressively prosecute any attempts to intimidate judicial officers or courthouse staff. Threats sent through the mail are treated with the same seriousness as physical confrontations in a courtroom setting.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit Texas Crime — General.
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Do you believe 17 years is an appropriate sentence for mailing threats to public officials?
