Man charged with mailing powder-filled letters to officials with Takoma Park return address

Federal authorities charged an Oklahoma City man with mailing hundreds of letters containing white powder and threatening messages to public officials, according to WTOP. The powders were found to be nonhazardous substances such as yeast and flour, though some letters remain untested, the FBI stated in court filings.

The letters included ominous warnings about treason and referenced upcoming arrests. The sender used a return address labeled 'U.S.T.E.A., United States Traitor Elimination Army, Takoma Park, MD,' as reported by WTOP. Investigators believe over 700 mailings this fall were linked to the same sender but with varying return addresses.

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are leading a broad federal investigation into suspicious mail sent to congressional and election offices nationwide, including those in the Washington DC area, FOX 5 DC reported. Recipients were warned to treat the mail as potentially hazardous.

The case is connected to a wider probe that began in 2024 after election officials in multiple states reported receiving similar letters containing white substances and threatening language. The letters have caused evacuations of election offices in some states.

The Oklahoma man, Robin Martin, faces charges of conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications. He appeared in federal court in Oklahoma City and is awaiting a detention hearing. Authorities continue efforts to intercept additional letters, though some may have reached their destinations, according to FOX 5 DC.