Oklahoma man charged with mailing hundreds of letters with white powder

Federal authorities have charged an Oklahoma City man with sending hundreds of letters containing white powder and warnings of treason to public officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections.

Charges and Investigation

Robin Patrick Martin is charged with conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications, according to a court filing made public Tuesday. Martin was arrested Monday and was expected to make an appearance in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

The investigation involves mailings sent to election officials, members of Congress, pollsters, news media, and federal law enforcement. FBI agent David Cole stated in an affidavit that investigators believe more than 700 mailings this fall were associated with the same sender.

The investigation includes the following details:

• Substances: The powders were determined to be nonhazardous, consisting of yeast or flour, though the FBI stated not all letters have been fully tested.
• Evidence: The FBI stated it has video evidence of Martin’s car stopping at Postal Service mailboxes in Oklahoma City, Dallas, and San Antonio in October. Investigators also recovered fingerprints from a letter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel, where the first name was written as “Kashyap.”
• Invisible Ink: Walmart records show Martin purchased turmeric and vinegar, which the FBI said were used to create invisible ink readable under ultraviolet light.

Content of the Mailings

The mailings contained warnings regarding upcoming arrests for treason “or worse!!” according to an FBI affidavit. Some letters included messages that could only be read under ultraviolet light, such as, “Stay on the right side of history! Your life may depend on it!!”

The sender used the return address “U.S.T.E.A., United States Traitor Elimination Army, Takoma Park, MD.” According to FBI agent David Cole, the writer of the letters "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."

The Democratic Socialists of America apparently assisted the investigation. The FBI stated it believes Martin, using the name George Livingston, posted a message to a DSA email list in October warning that members were "traitors and eligible for arrest for treason if they vote in the Nov. 3 election."

Impact and Scope

The suspicious mailings led to the evacuation of election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Numerous states, ranging from Idaho to Florida, reported receiving letters or having them intercepted by the Postal Service.

The Senate sergeant at arms issued a notice to congressional staff regarding the investigation. A message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms stated that while law enforcement is working to intercept additional letters, "it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations."

Why it matters

The investigation highlights the challenges of securing election infrastructure against mail-based threats and the use of non-toxic substances to mimic hazardous materials.

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Sources

• apnews.com: Man accused of mailing hundreds of letters with white powder to officials | AP News
• fox9.com: Man charged with mailing hundreds of letters containing powder to officials ahead of election | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
• cbsnews.com: Oklahoma man charged with mailing letters with white powder to hundreds of officials - CBS News
• kiro7.com: Man accused of mailing hundreds of letters with white powder to officials - KIRO 7 News Seattle
• nypost.com: Oklahoma man charged with mailing hundreds of letters containing powder to officials ahead of the election

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.