Man charged with mailing letters with white powder to election officials

An Oklahoma man is facing federal charges after the FBI said he mailed hundreds of letters containing mysterious white powder to public officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections.

Robin Patrick Martin is charged with one count of conveying false information and hoaxes and one count of mailing threatening communications, a filing in the Western District of Oklahoma reviewed by USA TODAY shows.

Not all the powder found in the letters has been fully tested, but powders tested so far turned out to be yeast or flour, the FBI said in criminal complaint filed Nov. 1.

The FBI wrote that on several occasions in those years, Martin mailed multiple state election officials letters as well as a "white powdery substance," according to the 34-page court filing.

According to the FBI, multiple state election officials reported receiving mail containing messages and the then-mysterious powder around Sept. 16, 2024.

The most recent mailing took place in October, the complaint continues.

"Protect Trump! Protect the election! Protest legal votes," one message on the backside of one of the envelopes mailed reads.

It was not immediately known when Martin was due in court on the charges and online court fillings do not list an attorney of record to comment on his behalf.

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.