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Oklahoma man charged in nationwide white-powder letter campaign
The Justice Department said Robin Patrick Martin, 67, of Oklahoma City, was charged with hoaxes and mailing threats after letters with non-toxic white powder went to officials.
- 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
- 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
1 earlier update
- 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 Tuesday1.
The department said Martin mailed letters containing white powder to hundreds of state and federal officials, including election offices, members of Congress and the FBI1. Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said recipients opened the letters without knowing whether the powder could harm them1. Officials described the powder as non-toxic in the charging announcement’s title1.
FBI Director Kash Patel said agents arrested Martin early Monday and that letters went to well over 100 locations, including secretary of state and election offices1. CBS News, citing an affidavit, said 2026 letters pertained to the national elections and allegedly invoked a group called the United States Traitor Elimination Army, threatening treason charges or worse2.
Al Jazeera reported the FBI arrested a man accused of sending more than 700 threatening letters with white powder and warnings about treason ahead of the midterms3.
Martin is presumed innocent unless convicted. Court dates and any plea were not in the reports cited1,2,3.
Sources
- 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
- Al JazeeraFBI arrests man for sending over 700 threatening letters to US officials
How it’s being reported
2 sourcesFirst reported by 
U.S. Justice Department
Oklahoma man charged with mailing letters with white powder to hundreds of officials
Affidavit language and election timing
CBS News cites an affidavit saying 2026 letters pertained to the midterms and threatened treason.
Leaves out Trial schedule
FBI arrests man for sending over 700 threatening letters to US officials
Scale of more than 700 letters
Al Jazeera reports federal charges over hundreds of powder letters ahead of the midterms.
Leaves out Full charging documents
Where they agree
- An Oklahoma City man was federally charged.
- Letters contained white powder and threats.
- Targets included election and government officials.
Where they differ
Number of letters