Washington – An Oklahoma man faces federal charges after allegedly sending hundreds of letters containing white powder to public officials and media outlets ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections. According to charging documents unsealed Tuesday, Robin Patrick Martin allegedly sent more than 700 envelopes to public officials of both parties across the country. Authorities said the powder contained in the envelopes was not toxic and said the envelopes had messages written in UV-reactive ink, which was not easy to see with the naked eye. Martin is charged with one count of transmitting false or misleading information and deception and one count of sending threatening communications. Court records show Martin, 67, was arrested Monday and ordered detained pending a preliminary hearing on Nov. 9. According to an FBI affidavit, Martin “described perceived problems with the 2020 election, claimed that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election, and expressed concerns about some of the same problems that would be repeated in the upcoming 2024 election.” Socialists of America. The DSA has cooperated with the FBI in its investigation, according to the affidavit. In an envelope addressed to the Oklahoma State Board of Elections before the 2024 election, Martin allegedly wrote “stay on the right side of history, your life could depend on it!” Federal prosecutors allege that the handwriting on that message was compared to the new batch of letters using handwriting analysis. According to the affidavit, the contents of the letters sent in 2026 “all pertained to the upcoming 2026 national election” and Martin allegedly referenced an organization known as the United States Traitor Elimination Army in his writings, threatening recipients with arrest for treason “OR WORSE!!” Federal investigators also intercepted a message allegedly from Martin to FBI Director Kash Patel. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Martin dropping off the envelopes at a USPS facility in 2024 and 2026, and records reviewed by federal authorities allegedly show that Martin purchased items used for mailing in August of this year, as well as ingredients for “invisible ink” that was used to write on the envelopes. In October, Brendan Donahue, deputy chief inspector of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, confirmed that “suspicious mail” was sent to “several addresses.” throughout the country,” including secretary of state offices and related election offices. The Senate sergeant-at-arms also issued a notice to congressional staff informing them of the investigation. Dozens of members of Congress and election officials across the country reported being targeted by the emails. CBS News has reached out to the Justice Department for comment. More from CBS News Go deeper with The Free Press
