US man charged over hundreds of white-powder letters sent before elections
A man in the United States has been charged over sending hundreds of letters filled with white powder to government officials and various offices before the 2024 and 2026 elections. The accused is Robin Martin, a resident of Oklahoma.
The information came in a court filing made public on Tuesday. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, said the powder sent was not a dangerous substance.
The FBI said not all of the letters' powder has been tested yet. But in those that were tested, yeast or flour was found.
Robin Martin has been charged with conveying false danger information and mailing threatening communications. He was due to make an initial appearance in court in Oklahoma City on Tuesday afternoon. No lawyer's name for him was found in the court documents published online.
Earlier, last month, US federal authorities said they were investigating letters containing a 'suspected substance' sent to congressional offices and election-related offices across the country. Recipients were also warned to treat the letters as potentially dangerous.
A message from the US Senate Sergeant at Arms said law enforcement was trying to intercept more such letters. It also warned that some letters could still reach their destinations.
At that time, the FBI said it was jointly investigating the incidents with the US Postal Inspection Service.
