Oklahoma Man Charged After Sending 700 Threatening Letters
Federal agents arrested Robin Martin, who allegedly mailed white powder and invisible ink warnings to election officials and lawmakers.
By Elena Perry ·
Federal authorities arrested an Oklahoma City man on Monday after he allegedly sent hundreds of threatening letters to public officials.
Robin Martin faces charges for spreading a hoax and sending threatening communications through the U.S. Postal Service. He appeared before a federal court in Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Court documents released that day detail a campaign of mailings that began before the 2024 presidential election and continued into this year.
The investigation started in 2024 when election officials in multiple states reported receiving envelopes containing a white substance. Each package included a three-page letter declaring war. Some messages featured warnings written in invisible ink that only became visible under ultraviolet light. One such message read, "Stay on the right side of history! Your life may depend on it!"
Martin used a return address for a group called USTEA, or the United States Army of Exterminating Traitors, located in Takoma Park, Maryland. FBI Agent David Cole stated in a sworn declaration that investigators identified more than 700 postal shipments in the fall of this year linked to the same author. These later packages used a different return address. The recipients included elected officials, members of Congress, pollsters, media outlets, and federal agents. A recurring warning told recipients they might be arrested for treason "or worse!"
Cole noted that the suspect questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election. He claimed Donald Trump won those races and feared similar issues would repeat in 2024. Federal authorities announced last month that they were investigating suspicious mailings to election offices and congressional offices nationwide. The incidents forced evacuations at election facilities in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Other states from Idaho to Florida reported receiving letters or having the Postal Service intercept the mail.
Investigators traced Martin through video footage showing his vehicle stopping in front of postal office mailboxes in October. The stops occurred in Oklahoma City, Dallas, and San Antonio. Agents also recovered his fingerprints from a letter sent to FBI Director Kash Patel. The recipient's name was misspelled as Kashyap on the envelope. Walmart purchase records show Martin bought household items including turmeric and vinegar. Prosecutors believe he used these ingredients to prepare the invisible ink.
The investigation also involved cooperation with the Democratic Socialists of America. The FBI believes Martin used the name George Livingston to post a message on the organization's email list in October. In that message, he called members traitors and warned they could be arrested for treason if they voted in the November 3 elections.
This case follows another federal investigation into threatening correspondence. Last month, a 37-year-old man from Illinois was accused of sending white powder letters to members of Congress. One of those letters included a note that read, "HA, enjoy the gift."
