By — Ed White, Associated Press Ed White, Associated Press By — Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/man-charged-with-mailing-hundreds-of-letters-containing-powder-to-officials-ahead-of-the-election Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Man charged with mailing hundreds of letters containing powder to officials ahead of the election Politics Nov 3, 2026 3:37 PM EST 2026 ELECTION COVERAGE: Watch Live | Poll Closing Times | All Live Results | Live Updates | Live Fact Check Federal authorities charged an Oklahoma City man with sending hundreds of letters containing white powder and ominous warnings about treason to public officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections. The powders turned out to be nonhazardous — yeast or flour — though not all letters have been fully tested, the FBI said in a court filing made public Tuesday. READ MORE: Election Day underway after a surge in early voting, as Trump sows doubt on results Robin Martin is charged with conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications. He was arrested Monday and was expected to make an…
Man charged with mailing hundreds of letters containing powder to officials ahead of the election
In short
The mass mailing operation targeted more than 700 entities, including members of Congress, media organizations, pollsters, and law enforcement personnel. The correspondence warned recipients of impending treason arrests while baselessly insisting Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential contest. Investigators connected Robin Martin to the scheme after discovering his fingerprints on an envelope addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel. Surveillance footage and store transaction records for invisible ink ingredients further corroborated his involvement in the operation.
Key points
- Law enforcement tied the suspect to the crime through fingerprint analysis and post offic…: Law enforcement tied the suspect to the crime through fingerprint analysis and post office mailbox surveillance.
- Store purchase records showed Martin obtained vinegar and turmeric to manufacture invisib…: Store purchase records showed Martin obtained vinegar and turmeric to manufacture invisible ink for messages.
- The intimidating mailings disrupted government functions by forcing election facility eva…: The intimidating mailings disrupted government functions by forcing election facility evacuations in Oklahoma and Louisiana.