Oklahoma man charged with mailing white powder to election officials in 50 states

Federal authorities charged Oklahoma resident Robin Patrick Martin on November 3, 2026, with conveying hoaxes and mailing threatening communications after allegedly sending over 700 letters containing harmless white powder, such as flour or yeast, to public officials nationwide. The mailings targeted election officials across all 50 states, members of Congress, and media outlets ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections, prompting office evacuations in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Investigators linked Martin to the scheme through surveillance footage, fingerprint matches on a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, and store records for invisible ink ingredients.

Charges and court proceedings for Martin

• ▪Robin Patrick Martin was charged with conveying false or misleading information and hoaxes and mailing threatening communications
• ▪Robin Patrick Martin was arrested on November 2, 2026, and was scheduled to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City on November 3, 2026
• ▪Federal court filings for Robin Patrick Martin on November 3, 2026, did not list an attorney of record available to comment on his behalf

Mailing campaigns and targeted recipients

• ▪Robin Patrick Martin allegedly mailed over 700 letters containing nonhazardous white powder, including flour or yeast, to public officials, election workers, lawmakers, and media outlets in all 50 states in early October 2026 or during the 2024 election period
• ▪Robin Patrick Martin targeted bipartisan recipients across all 50 states with threatening letters containing white powder, including Democratic and Republican election officials, members of Congress, pollsters, news media organizations, and federal law enforcement

Contents and political messages of the letters

• ▪FBI affidavit statements indicate Robin Patrick Martin's letters claimed Donald Trump won the 2020 election and expressed concerns regarding similar election integrity issues recurring in 2024
• ▪Messages inside and on envelopes mailed by Robin Patrick Martin warned recipients of impending arrests for treason, declared war, or instructed recipients to protect Donald Trump and protest legal votes

Return addresses used on the letters

• ▪A 2024 wave of letters allegedly sent by Robin Patrick Martin bore return addresses for the United States Traitor Elimination Army listed in Takoma Park, Maryland
• ▪A 2026 wave of letters allegedly sent by Robin Patrick Martin bore outdated return addresses associated with previous headquarters of the Democratic Socialists of America in New York

Evidence linking Martin to the mailings

• ▪Investigators matched fingerprints on a letter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel carrying an ultraviolet-ink message reading 'FBI SAVE THE USA' to Robin Patrick Martin
• ▪The FBI said Walmart purchasing records analyzed by federal law enforcement show Robin Patrick Martin bought household items including turmeric and vinegar to produce invisible ink visible under ultraviolet light
• ▪Federal investigators tracked Robin Patrick Martin's cell phone location data to locations from which letters containing white powder were mailed

Warnings from Senate sergeant at arms

• ▪A notice from the Senate sergeant at arms stated that law enforcement was working to intercept additional letters allegedly sent by Robin Patrick Martin, though some could still reach their destinations
• ▪The Senate sergeant at arms issued a notice informing congressional staff of the FBI's investigation into suspicious mailings sent nationwide

Targeting of Democratic Socialists of America

• ▪The FBI said Robin Patrick Martin contacted the Democratic Socialists of America in August 2026 and obtained member email addresses to add them to a mailing list for threatening messages
• ▪The Democratic Socialists of America cooperated with the FBI after receiving messages from an individual using the alias George Livingston warning members of arrest for treason if they voted in the November 3, 2026 election