Key Takeaways
- Robin Patrick Martin, 67, faces federal hoax and threatening-mail charges for allegedly sending hundreds of powder-filled letters to election offices, lawmakers, newsrooms and the FBI, some warning “CIVIL WAR IS COMING ON NOVEMBER 3RD!!” The letters baselessly claim that Donald Trump was the real winner of the 2020 election — a theory Trump himself subscribes to.
- Investigators linked more than 700 mailings to the sender; powders tested so far contained harmless yeast or flour, but the letters triggered evacuations and hazmat responses in multiple states.
- The FBI arrested Martin on Nov. 2, and he remains detained ahead of a Nov. 9 preliminary hearing; he retains the presumption of innocence.
A 67-year-old Oklahoma man who believes that the 2020 election was stolen is facing federal charges on Election Day, accused of mailing hundreds of powder-filled letters to election offices, members of Congress, pollsters, newsrooms, and the FBI.
"CIVIL WAR IS COMING ON NOVEMBER 3RD!!” some of the letters warned.
According to the Justice Department, the FBI arrested Robin Patrick Martin on Monday (Nov. 2). He made his initial appearance Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shon Erwin.
The complaint charges him with hoaxes and mailing threatening communications. Every powder tested so far has proved harmless, either yeast or flour, according to the affidavit.
Martin's attorneys at the Federal Public Defender's office declined to comment, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Investigators trace the campaign to Sept. 16, 2024, when election officials in all 50 states were sent a three-page letter titled "DECLARATION OF WAR," its envelopes hiding UV-ink messages. It warned that "it won't be flour next time," and an Oklahoma capitol worker who opened one was exposed to the powder.
The 2026 wave went through postal centers in Oklahoma City, North Texas, and San Antonio between Oct. 9 and Oct. 13. Investigators tied more than 700 mailings to the sender, many warning "YOU WILL BE ARRESTED FOR TREASON!! OR WORSE!!"
Per an affidavit by an FBI agent, the writer of the letters “described perceived issues with the 2020 election, claimed that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election, and voiced concerns regarding some of the same issues recurring in the then-upcoming 2024 election.” Trump, of course, has long claimed, with no evidence, that the 2020 election was “rigged.”
In response to the letters, election offices in Oklahoma and Louisiana were evacuated, and an envelope opened at Arizona's secretary of state's office set off a hazmat response and evacuations at the state capitol.
The affidavit also cites Martin's purchases of turmeric, vinegar, and iodine, which can make hidden UV ink show up (many of the letters had messages like “Protect Trump! Protect the election! Protect legal votes!” written in UV-reactive ink), plus phone and license plate data placing his silver Hyundai Sonata at the mail centers.
Martin remains detained until a preliminary hearing on Nov. 9.
