Update: New ricin letter found, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), details below

Federal authorities said Tuesday that a Mississippi man accused of sending letters containing ricin to prominent officials, including President Barack Obama, has been released from jail following the cancellation of a preliminary detention hearing.

Jeff Woodfin, chief deputy at the U.S. Marshals Service, told The Associated Press that he’s not sure if there are any conditions on Paul Kevin Curtis’s release. He was due to appear in court this morning, but a hearing was canceled and no reason was given.

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An FBI agent who testified Monday said that a search of Curtis’s home and computer found no indications that he attempted to make ricin, the AP added.

Federal authorities have scheduled a press conference for 5 p.m. CST.

Update at 3:45 p.m. Eastern: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that a third letter containing ricin had been found, allegedly at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., according to the Huffington Post.

“We’ve had another incident today, I’m told, at Bolling Air Force Base, same substance,” Reid told reporters. “That’s all I know.”

Update by Kay Steiger

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