ADAMS TWP — A disgruntled former tenant now living in Texas admitted he sent what police described as a “suspicious package” in the mail last week, causing the evacuation of a business building, authorities said.

The small package wrapped in red duct tape included a tin can and plastic tie wires and came with a handwritten note in all capital letters that read: “Final Payment (expletive)! Check Enclosed.”

The parcel was received March 21 at A.R. Building Co. at One Adams Place on Seven Fields Boulevard, after a series of mail bombing attacks in Austin had captured national attention.

But Peter J. Bamford, 37, of Victoria, Texas, denied the package was meant to scare anyone, according to court documents.

The mailing, he claimed, was a way to convey his displeasure over exit fees tied to an apartment he recently rented while living in Tennessee. A.R. Building owns that apartment complex.

Adams Township police, after consulting with the Butler County District Attorney's Office, this week filed a criminal case against Bamford.

District Judge Wayne Seibel on Tuesday by video via FaceTime arraigned Bamford, who is in Texas.

He is charged with felony counts of terroristic threats and sending a facsimile weapon of mass destruction.

Additionally, he is charged with obstructing the administration of law or other government function, a misdemeanor.

He is free on his own recognizance. A preliminary hearing was not immediately scheduled but Bamford assured authorities he would show up for the court date.

His attorney, Stephen Misko of Butler, Monday noted that his client has no previous criminal record, and is not a flight risk or a danger to the community.

Police said the package was delivered to the building, owned by A.R. Building, which primarily houses business offices and a federal Social Security court.

Authorities believed Bamford, an active U.S. Coast Guard member, was the sender. He recently was transferred to Port O'Connor, Texas, where the package had been mailed March 16.

Bamford, documents said, also had previously left a threatening voice mail with the property manager for the apartment he had rented.

The voice message indicated he was “upset over move-out charges and fees,” documents said.

Police about 12:15 p.m. evacuated 143 people from the building and called in the Allegheny County Police Bomb Squad

Bomb squad officers X-rayed the item and were unable to determine what it was. They took the item outside, where they dismantled it, said Robert Scanlon, assistant chief for Adams Township police.

Inside the package was a mint tin wrapped with black wire ties and red duct tape. The can was pried open and found to contain fine gold glitter and a check for $314.80.

The check's note section read: “Apt 20202 final payment (expletive).”

Police spoke to Bamford at 2:30 p.m. that day. He admitted that he mailed the package in a way to make it difficult to open, documents said.

“He said he had no malicious intent to cause an incident like this,” according to a police affidavit.

Bamford claimed he was frustrated over being “nickel and dimed” in fees.

“He said (the landlord) charged him for an entire month of rent,” according to the affidavit, “when he only lived in the apartment for 5 days.”

Misko said he was not convinced the package was ominous looking enough to warrant the charges his client faces.

“Upon viewing the package that was ultimately observed,” he said, “it was borderline whether it could be construed as an explosive device.”