An Illinois man faces two federal felonies after allegedly mailing letters containing white powder to four members of Congress, including a senator, with his own return address printed on each envelope. Matthew G. Unglesbee told FBI investigators he used salt to mimic anthrax as a joke, though he admitted recipients would perceive it as a genuine threat.
The Investigation Unfolds
The FBI received a tip on October 16 after someone overheard Unglesbee at a restaurant discussing mailing suspicious substances to congressional offices. The tipster provided authorities with Unglesbee’s complete identifying information, including his name, address, and date of birth. FBI agents from the Chicago field office responded to three congressional offices in northern Illinois after receiving both the tip and a 911 call from one targeted office.
A staff member at the first congressional office to receive a letter noticed the envelope felt like it contained powder and could hear something shifting inside. The office had already heightened security measures after receiving a similar letter weeks earlier. Three letters contained white granular substance with handwritten notes reading “HA HA,” while a fourth letter sent to a senator read “HAH enjoy the gift.” All four envelopes bore Unglesbee’s name and return address.
Confession and Charges
FBI agents interviewed Unglesbee at his home on Saturday, where he confessed to sending the letters. He claimed he heard someone in a restaurant discussing similar letters received by Congress members, which inspired his actions. Unglesbee acknowledged he knew the powder would be perceived as potentially anthrax and anticipated hazmat responses. He specifically chose salt because it resembled the deadly substance, according to the criminal complaint.
FBI Task Force Officer Chris Hobbs, who authored the criminal complaint, described the letters as a common intimidation tactic. Preliminary laboratory testing confirmed the substance contained no chemical or biological toxins. During the home search, agents discovered a fifth letter addressed to one congressperson’s Washington office. Investigators determined Unglesbee mailed the letters on October 19.
Legal Consequences
Federal prosecutors charged Unglesbee with false information and hoaxes plus mailing threatening communications. The complaint notes Unglesbee claimed he was joking but recognized recipients would not know his intentions and could perceive the letters as genuine threats. These charges carry serious federal penalties as authorities take threats against elected officials with utmost seriousness, particularly those invoking memories of the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people and contaminated congressional offices.