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Oklahoma City man charged over hundreds of white-powder letters
Federal prosecutors charged Robin Patrick Martin, 67, of Oklahoma City, with mailing threatening letters containing non-toxic white powder to election and government officials, the Justice Department said.
- Maryland Matters and Oklahoma Voice are now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Oklahoma man charged in nationwide white-powder letter campaign”
- Our desk updated its story
- New headline Was: “Oklahoma Man Charged in Connection with Sending Threatening Letters Containing Non-Toxic White Powder to Election and Government Officials Across the Country”
- Our desk filed its story
4 earlier updates
- New headline Was: “Oklahoma man charged over powder letters to officials”
- Al Jazeera is now reporting this
- U.S. Justice Department is now reporting this
- Reuters is now reporting this
Federal prosecutors charged Robin Patrick Martin, 67, of Oklahoma City, with conveying false or misleading information and hoaxes and with mailing threatening communications, the Justice Department said Tuesday3.
The department said the letters went to state election officials, members of Congress, the FBI and others, and that powder inside was later determined to be non-hazardous3. Oklahoma Voice, citing the complaint, said the Oklahoma State Election Board received a powder letter on Oct. 13, 2026, and that offices at the state Capitol were evacuated2,3.
Maryland Matters and Oklahoma Voice reported accusations that Martin sent more than 700 threatening letters in 2024 and 2026 to election officials, members of Congress, pollsters, media organizations and the FBI1,2. Al Jazeera said he appeared in U.S. district court Tuesday after an FBI arrest Monday6. The Justice Department said he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shon Erwin in Oklahoma City3.
An FBI affidavit described in Oklahoma Voice said many 2026 packages used a "DSA NEW YORK" return address, that mailings were deposited at Postal Service sites in Oklahoma City, northern Texas and San Antonio between Oct. 9 and 13, and that powders that have been tested were yeast or flour2. CBS News, citing the affidavit, said the 2026 letters pertained to the national elections and referenced a group called the United States Traitor Elimination Army4.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in the department release that the bureau arrested Martin early Monday and that letters went to well over 100 locations, including secretary of state and election offices3. Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said the mailings were alleged to be a calculated attempt to terrorize public servants3. A complaint is an allegation; the department said defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty3.
Oklahoma Voice said Martin is represented by federal public defenders and that attorney Kiefer Rose did not return a call seeking comment2. The case is being investigated by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Capitol Police, Oklahoma City police and Texas Department of Public Safety, the Justice Department said2,3.
Sources
- Maryland MattersOklahoma City man accused of sending letters with white powder to officials
- Oklahoma VoiceOklahoma City man accused of sending threatening letters with white powder to election officials
- U.S. Justice DepartmentOklahoma Man Charged in Connection with Sending Threatening Letters Containing Non-Toxic White Powder to Election and Government Officials Across the Country
- CBS NewsOklahoma man charged with mailing letters with white powder to hundreds of officials
- APMan charged with mailing hundreds of letters containing powder to officials ahead of the election
- Al JazeeraFBI arrests man for sending over 700 threatening letters to US officials
How it’s being reported
5 sourcesFirst reported by 
U.S. Justice Department
Show all
Oklahoma City man accused of sending letters with white powder to officials
Volume of letters and mix of recipients
States Newsroom account of the arrest and more than 700 alleged mailings.
Leaves out Full DOJ charge language
Oklahoma City man accused of sending threatening letters with white powder to election officials
Oklahoma Election Board mailing, invisible-ink note and yeast-or-flour tests
Local reporting on the complaint, affidavit and tested powders.
Oklahoma man charged with mailing letters with white powder to hundreds of officials
Election-related wording in 2026 letters
Independent account of the 2024 and 2026 mailings and alleged treason warnings.
FBI arrests man for sending over 700 threatening letters to US officials
Court appearance and hoax powder letters
Reports a first court appearance after the FBI arrest.
Leaves out Oklahoma-specific evacuation details
Man charged with mailing hundreds of letters containing powder to officials ahead of the election
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Where they agree
- Martin, 67, of Oklahoma City, was charged in early November 2026
- Letters with white powder went to election and government officials
- Authorities later described the powder as non-hazardous
Where they differ
How the mailings are counted