Oklahoma Man Charged With Mailing Powder-Laced Letters to Officials

An Oklahoma man faces federal charges after allegedly sending hundreds of letters containing white powder to public officials and media outlets ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections.

According to charging documents unsealed on Tuesday, Robin Patrick Martin is accused of sending more than 700 envelopes to officials of both parties nationwide. The powder in the envelopes was described as nontoxic, and the messages were written in UV-reactive ink, which is not visible to the naked eye.

Martin is charged with one count of conveying false or misleading information and hoaxes, and another count of mailing threatening communications. It is not yet known if he has been taken into custody.

An FBI affidavit states that Martin described perceived issues with the 2020 election, claimed President Donald Trump won that election, and expressed concerns about similar issues in the 2024 election. Some letters bore return addresses linked to the Green Party of the United States and the Democratic Socialists of America, which have cooperated with the FBI in the investigation.

One envelope addressed to the Oklahoma State Election Board ahead of the 2024 election included a message that allegedly matched handwriting found in other letters through a handwriting analysis. The message read, 'stay on the right side of history your life might depend on it!'.

The letters sent in 2026 allegedly focused on the 2026 national elections, with Martin referencing an organization called the United States Traitor Elimination Army. He allegedly threatened recipients with arrest for treason or worse. Federal investigators also intercepted a message from Martin to FBI Director Kash Patel.

Surveillance footage allegedly showed Martin dropping off the envelopes at a USPS facility in both 2024 and 2026. Records indicate he purchased items for the mailing in August and the ingredients for the invisible ink used on the envelopes.

In October, Brendan Donahue, deputy chief inspector at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, confirmed that suspicious mailings were sent to various addresses nationwide, including secretary of state offices and election-related entities. The Senate sergeant at arms also informed congressional staff of the investigation. Dozens of members of Congress and election officials reported being targeted.