Federal prosecutors have charged an Oklahoma man with orchestrating a sprawling mail campaign that targeted election offices, members of Congress, and media outlets with hundreds of letters containing a white powder and menacing demands in the run-up to the 2024 and 2026 elections.
Robin Martin was charged Sunday in an unsealed criminal complaint with conveying false or misleading information and hoaxes, as well as mailing threatening communications. If convicted on both counts, he could face up to 15 years in prison. No attorney was listed for him in public court filings.
According to court documents, Martin is accused of sending mail in September 2024 to state election officials that included a nontoxic white substance and a three-page letter titled “DECLARATION OF WAR.” The letter aired purported grievances about the 2020 election, including the false claim that former President Trump won. Some envelopes also bore threatening messages written in UV-reactive ink.
The mailings were purportedly sent by a group calling itself the “United States Traitor Elimination Army,” which the letters described as a “top-secret military organization with members all around the country.” The return address traced to a business with multiple office suites in Takoma Park, Maryland, that was once used by the Green Party. However, an FBI official said the agency has not identified any connection between the sender and that address.
Martin’s arrest came weeks after the FBI launched an investigation into suspicious packages sent to dozens of congressional offices of both parties ahead of the 2026 midterms. Authorities said the specific contents varied, but all contained a common message: “YOU WILL BE ARRESTED FOR TREASON!! OR WORSE!!” The powders were determined to be either yeast or flour, though the FBI has not yet intercepted or fully tested all the letters.
Martin is the second person to face charges for allegedly mailing suspicious packages ahead of the November election. An Illinois man was arrested last month for allegedly sending similar mail to four members of Congress in that state.
The case underscores heightened concerns over threats to election workers and public officials, which have persisted since the 2020 election. Federal authorities have ramped up investigations into such incidents, including a federal probe into an alleged Alaska ballot scheme and a misprint of ballot envelopes in Washoe County.
Lawmakers from both parties have condemned the mailings. The incidents have also drawn attention to the need for stronger protections for election officials, as well as the broader challenge of combating disinformation. As the 2026 midterms approach, the FBI and Justice Department are expected to remain vigilant against any attempts to intimidate or disrupt the electoral process.
