An Illinois man faces federal felony charges after allegedly mailing letters containing white powder to four members of Congress, marking each envelope with his own return address and claiming the substance was salt sent as a joke. Matthew G. Unglesbee confessed to FBI agents that he intended the powder to resemble anthrax and expected recipients to respond in hazmat suits.
Restaurant Conversation Leads to Federal Investigation
The FBI received a tip on October 16 after someone overheard Unglesbee discussing the mailings at a restaurant. The tipster provided authorities with Unglesbee’s complete name, address, and date of birth. Three congressional offices in northern Illinois received letters containing a white granular substance accompanied by handwritten notes reading “HA HA.” One staff member, working at an office already on high alert from a similar recent incident, called 911 after feeling powder inside an envelope.
Days later, a fourth letter arrived at a senator’s office in the Northern District of Illinois. This envelope contained similar white powder with a note stating “HAH enjoy the gift.” All four letters prominently displayed Unglesbee’s name and return address, making identification straightforward for investigators.
Suspect Admits to Deliberate Intimidation Tactic
FBI agents interviewed Unglesbee at his residence on Saturday, where he allegedly confessed to sending the letters. He told investigators he chose salt specifically because it resembled anthrax and acknowledged that recipients would perceive the mailings as potentially threatening. During the search of his home, agents discovered a fifth letter addressed to one congressman’s Washington office that had not yet been mailed. Preliminary laboratory testing confirmed the substance contained no chemical or biological toxins.
Federal Charges Carry Serious Consequences
Prosecutors charged Unglesbee with two felonies: providing false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. FBI Task Force Officer Chris Hobbs, who authored the criminal complaint, noted that such mailings represent a common intimidation tactic against public officials. The suspect’s claim that he acted as a joke holds no legal weight, as federal law prohibits sending communications that recipients reasonably perceive as threats. The charges underscore ongoing concerns about threats against members of Congress, which have increased significantly in recent years. Federal authorities continue investigating whether additional letters were sent or if other individuals were involved in planning the scheme.