Oklahoma Man Arrested and Charged Over Hundreds of Powder Letters Sent to Officials
Federal authorities in the United States have charged an Oklahoma man with sending hundreds of letters containing suspicious white powder to public officials before the 2024 and 2026 elections.
The accused is named Robin Martin. He is charged with conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications. His initial court appearance is expected on Tuesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. Online records do not list an attorney to comment on his behalf.
According to an FBI court filing made public on Tuesday, the powders turned out to be yeast or flour, though not all letters had been fully tested.
According to a federal law enforcement source, the FBI arrested the suspect early on Monday in Oklahoma City. The letters were sent to more than 100 locations, including multiple secretary of state and election offices.
The investigation was led by the FBI's Oklahoma City field office, the FBI Criminal Division, the US Postal Inspection Service, the US Capitol Police and the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Federal authorities announced last month that they were investigating letters with 'suspicious substances' that had been mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide and urged recipients to treat the mailings as 'potentially hazardous'.
A message from the Senate sergeant at arms said law enforcement officials were working to intercept any additional letters, but 'it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations'.
In an advisory on October 23, the FBI said no hazardous material had been identified in the suspicious substances tested at that point, though laboratory testing remained ongoing.
Capitol Police intercepted a letter addressed to Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester's Delaware office, while suspicious mail addressed to the offices of Senators Alex Padilla and Kirsten Gillibrand was intercepted by postal authorities.
Similar suspicious letters were sent to election offices in more than 15 states during the 2024 election cycle, prompting evacuations and hazmat responses. Some of the substances were determined to be harmless at the time.
