Oklahoma Man Charged After Mailing 700 Powder Letters to Election Officials
An Oklahoma man faces federal charges for mailing over 700 letters containing white powder and threatening messages to officials nationwide.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, USA — A resident of Oklahoma is facing federal legal action following the alleged distribution of hundreds of letters containing white powder to various media outlets and public servants.
Federal court documents made public on Tuesday indicate that Robin Patrick Martin reportedly dispatched more than 700 envelopes to officials from both political parties during the periods leading up to the 2024 and 2026 elections.
Investigators determined that the substance found inside the envelopes was nontoxic. However, the letters featured messages written in a UV-reactive ink that remains invisible under normal lighting.
Martin stands accused of one count mailing threatening communications and another count for conveying hoaxes or false and misleading information. It is currently unconfirmed if the suspect has been detained.
An affidavit from the FBI suggests that Martin expressed grievances regarding the 2020 election results, asserting that Donald Trump was the rightful winner. The suspect also expressed alarm that similar issues would resurface during the 2024 cycle.
Some of the correspondence utilized return addresses associated with former offices of the Green Party of the United States and the Democratic Socialists of America. The affidavit notes that the DSA has assisted the FBI with their ongoing inquiry.
In one note sent to the Oklahoma State Election Board prior to the 2024 vote, Martin allegedly wrote, “stay on the right side of history your life might depend on it!”
Prosecutors utilized handwriting analysis to link the script in that specific threat to a more recent batch of the mailings.
The affidavit further claims that letters intended for 2026 focused on the upcoming national elections. In these writings, Martin reportedly mentioned a group called the United States Traitor Elimination Army and warned recipients they could face arrest for treason “OR WORSE!!”
Federal authorities also intercepted a message allegedly sent by Martin directly to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Surveillance video reportedly captured Martin dropping off the letters at a post office facility in both 2024 and 2026. Law enforcement records also suggest he purchased mailing supplies and the components for the invisible ink in August of this year.
Earlier this, in October, Brendan Donahue, serving as the deputy chief inspector for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, verified that “suspicious mailings” reached numerous locations across the country, including election offices and offices of secretaries of state.
The Senate sergeant at arms alerted congressional staff to the probe after dozens of members of Congress and various election-related officials across the nation reported receiving the threatening letters.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
