TRENTON — The State Police are investigating a "series of disturbing letters" — possibly written in blood — sent by a prison inmate to legislative offices throughout the state, according to a warning sent out by authorities and obtained by The Star-Ledger.

Authorities said in the message, sent late yesterday to legislative offices and staff, that the letters in question were written by Albert Faust, 45, an inmate at East Jersey State Prison in Woodbridge Township, where he is serving time on drug charges from offenses in 1993.

He was sentenced in 2002 and is eligible for parole Nov. 22 of next year

Faust told authorities in an interview he sent nine of the letters out to different legislative district offices, but has refused to identify the exact recipients, the message said. Two of the letters were intercepted and the State Police are looking to obtain the remaining seven.

"Please note that no direct threat has been identified in any intercepted letter as of this time," the message said. Authorities requested any district office that receives a letter "in red, signed simply as Faust," to contact State Police Det. Gerard Tibbs.

The message did not describe the contents of the letters or say why Faust sent them. The State Police did not immediately return a request for comment on the message.

State Sen Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) said one of the letters was sent to his district office and was turned over to State Police. His staff said the letter was not threatening, but instead was complaining about the lack of art supplies Faust had at the prison, problems not having any family and issues regarding joining a gang.

The State Police told Lesniak's staff they were investigating the prisoner's background and possible drug treatment.

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