Federal agents arrested an Oklahoma man Monday, saying he mailed threatening letters containing white powder to hundreds of public officials. Robin Patrick Martin, 67, of Oklahoma City, is charged with conveying false or misleading information and hoaxes, as well as mailing threatening communications.
According to the FBI, surveillance footage showed Martin stopping at Postal Service mailboxes in Dallas, San Antonio and Oklahoma City in October. Authorities said he sent the letters to state election boards, members of Congress, election pollsters and media organizations. The white powder was later determined to be non-hazardous. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service have investigated threatening letters sent to state election officials since 2024.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the letters were a calculated attempt to terrorize public servants. He said officials opening the letters did not know whether the powder could sicken or kill them. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the agencies involved in the arrest.