Key takeaways:
- Robin Patrick Martin is charged with conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications.
- Investigators allege that more than 700 envelopes were sent to officials of both parties and media outlets.
- The FBI said powder identified so far was yeast or flour, but not all letters had been fully tested.
An Oklahoma man has been charged with sending more than 700 letters containing white powder to public officials and media outlets ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections, according to federal charging documents made public Tuesday. Investigators said the powder tested so far was not hazardous, but the mailings prompted warnings to congressional and election offices across the country.
Robin Patrick Martin faces one count of conveying false or misleading information and hoaxes and one count of mailing threatening communications. The Guardian reported that he was expected to make an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon in Oklahoma City and that online records did not list an attorney for him. CBS News said it was not immediately clear whether he had been taken into custody.
The letters went to officials of both political parties, according to the charging documents. The FBI said the powders identified so far were yeast or flour, though not every letter had been fully tested, The Guardian reported. Some envelopes also carried messages written in UV-reactive ink that was not easily visible to the naked eye, according to CBS News.
An FBI affidavit quoted by CBS News said Martin “described perceived issues with the 2020 election, claimed that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election, and voiced concerns regarding some of the same issues recurring in the then-upcoming 2024 election.” Some mailings bore return addresses associated with former headquarters of the Green Party of the United States and the Democratic Socialists of America. The affidavit said the Democratic Socialists of America cooperated with investigators.
In a letter addressed to the Oklahoma State Election Board before the 2024 election, Martin allegedly wrote, “stay on the right side of history your life might depend on it!” Prosecutors say a handwriting analysis linked that message to the later letters, CBS News reported.
The affidavit said the 2026 letters all concerned the upcoming national elections. Martin allegedly invoked an organization called the United States Traitor Elimination Army and warned recipients they could be arrested for treason “OR WORSE!!” Federal investigators also intercepted a message allegedly sent by Martin to FBI Director Kash Patel, according to CBS News.
Investigators say surveillance video showed Martin dropping off envelopes at a U.S. Postal Service facility in both 2024 and 2026. Records they examined also allegedly showed that he bought mailing supplies in August 2026 and ingredients for the ink used on the envelopes, CBS News reported.
Federal authorities said in October that they were investigating mailings containing “suspicious substances” sent to congressional and election offices nationwide. They urged recipients to treat the letters as “potentially hazardous.” Brendan Donahue, deputy chief inspector at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said the mailings had gone to various addresses, including secretary of state and related election offices.
The Senate sergeant at arms alerted congressional staff to the investigation. In a message obtained by the Associated Press, the office said law enforcement was trying to intercept further letters, but “it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations.” Dozens of members of Congress and election officials reported receiving the mailings, CBS News said.
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