At 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24 an explosive device (IED) was detonated inside a mailbox in Hickory Plains, which is located in Prairie County. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s).

The scene at the 10000 block of Highway 38 West was secured by an off-duty Prairie County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) deputy. 

After the source of the IED was determined, inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPC) have taken over the investigation of the explosion, due to it being a federal offense. 

"At this time it appears that the criminal act may have been an attempt to intimidate a PCSD deputy who lives close to the mailbox, but the wrong mailbox was chosen. Due to heavy fog in the area at the time of when the device was placed -- between midnight and 1 a.m. -- the suspect(s) didn't target the correct mailbox," PCSD Sheriff Rick Hickman explained. "I want to assure the community to know there is no cause for alarm."

Hickman said the department will not be intimidated by the cowardly acts of others who seek to instill fear in the law enforcement officers or citizens of Prairie County. 

"We will continue to aggressively pursue those who violate the laws of this state and breach the peace in Prairie County," he said. 

"Take no action to apprehend this person yourself," the USPS explained in their press release. 

Contact USPS Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455 and state "emergency". All information will be kept strictly confidential. Individuals can also contact the PCSD at (870) 256-4137.