Federal authorities have charged an Oklahoma man with mailing hundreds of letters containing white powder to public officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections.
Robin Martin is charged with conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications, the Associated Press reported. He was expected to make his initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. Online records did not list an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
In a court filing made public Tuesday, the FBI said the powders turned out to be yeast or flour, but all of the letters have been fully tested.
According to the criminal complaint, the 2024 mailings each contained a white powdery substance and a three-page letter titled “DECLARATION OF WAR.” The letter claimed it came from “U.S.T.E.A.,” which it described as a top-secret military organization with members around the country.
The writer described perceived problems with the 2020 election, claimed Trump had won it, and raised concerns that the same issues would recur in the 2024 election. The letter listed five demands and issued a chilling threat.
“IF OUR DEMANDS ARE NOT MET: Another mailing will occur shortly to 1000’s of destinations of suspected bad actors of the 2020 election, and it won’t be flour next time in the envelopes,” the letter read. “YOU HAVE BEEN DULY WARNED – TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.”
Last month, federal authorities announced they were investigating letters with “suspicious substances” mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide. They urged recipients to treat the mailings as “potentially hazardous.”
A message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms obtained by the AP warned that “it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations.”