PHILLIPS – An Avon man is behind bars after police were given a letter he allegedly wrote threatening an assistant district attorney and two county cops.

Dale Howard, 41, was arrested on Bridge Street in Phillips last week.

According to Detective David St. Laurent of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Howard was released from the Maine state prison in October. He had been there for 14 months on theft and forgery convictions.

While in prison, Howard allegedly sent a letter to his ex-wife in which he threatened physical harm and possible use of a weapon against a Franklin County assistant district attorney and two county deputies.

Several weeks ago, the letter was turned into the county district attorney’s office, which turned it over to St. Laurent, the detective said.

Because Howard’s record shows prior assault convictions and an extensive criminal history, the letter was deemed a valid threat.

“He makes some pretty serious allegations in his letter,” St. Laurent said, adding that those mentioned in it felt threatened.

Howard was arrested and charged with three counts of felony Class C terrorizing. Each charge could net up to five years in jail if a conviction is handed down.

He was arraigned last week and is being held on $500 cash or $10,000 surety bail. If he does post bail, which he hadn’t as of Monday, Howard will be prohibited from having contact with the lawyer or deputies mentioned in the letter, St. Laurent said.

Deputy Aaron Turcotte assisted in the investigation.