FBI accuses Oklahoma man of sending hundreds of powder letters to officials before elections

The FBI has charged a man from Oklahoma with sending hundreds of letters containing white powders to public officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections. The powders turned out to be yeast or flour, though not all of the letters have been completely analyzed, according to the FBI in a judicial document made public on Tuesday. Robin Martin is charged with transmitting a false alarm ( hoax) and sending threatening communications. Martin was expected to make his first appearance in court on Tuesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. The records online do not show an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

The federal authorities announced last month that they were investigating letters with ' suspicious substances' that had been sent by mail to legislative and electoral offices across the country, and urged the recipients to treat such mail as 'potentially dangerous.' A message from the Senate arm sergeant obtained by The Associated Press indicated that the police authorities were working to intercept any additional letters, but that 'it is possible that some letters will reach their destinations.' The FBI indicated at the time that the agency and the Postal Inspection Service were investigating the case. On Tuesday, the FBI referred the questions to the federal prosecutor's office, and the Postal Inspection Service did not respond immediately to an AP email for comments.

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