This browser does not support the Video element.
Polling locations begin to open for midterm election
Colby College political science professors, Nick Jacobs and Dan Shea discuss the midterm election. The pair co-authored a book on rural voters.
OKLAHOMA CITY - An Oklahoma man is facing federal charges after allegedly mailing hundreds of letters containing white powder to government officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections.
The substances were determined to be harmless materials, including yeast and flour, although the FBI said some of the letters have yet to be tested, according to a court filing made public Tuesday.
Man charged with mailing letters containing powder to officials
Big picture view:
Robin Martin faces charges of conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications. He was scheduled to appear in federal court Tuesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. Court records do not identify an attorney representing him.
The case is part of a broader federal investigation into suspicious letters sent to congressional and election offices nationwide, led by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. (Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms obtained by The Associated Press said that law enforcement officials were working to intercept any additional letters, but "it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations."
Authorities said last month they were examining potentially hazardous letters
The backstory:
The case is part of a broader federal investigation into suspicious mail sent to congressional and election offices across the country.
RELATED: FBI investigating after envelopes with fentanyl, other substances sent to US elections offices
Authorities announced last month that they were examining the letters and warned recipients to handle them as potentially hazardous.
The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are leading the investigation.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press contributed.