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 threatening mailings were simply a joke.
Restaurant Confession Leads to Federal Charges
Matthew G. Unglesbee was charged Monday with false information and hoaxes and mailing threatening communications after bragging about his actions at a local restaurant. A concerned citizen overheard Unglesbee discussing how he had sent suspicious substances to congressional offices and immediately contacted the FBI. The tipster provided authorities with Unglesbee’s complete identifying information, including his full name, home address, and date of birth, enabling swift action.
FBI agents from the Chicago field office responded to three congressional offices in northern Illinois on October 16 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 felt powder inside the envelope and heard something shifting within. The office had already heightened security after receiving a similar suspicious letter weeks earlier.
Salt Disguised as Deadly Toxin
All four letters contained white granular substances along with handwritten notes reading “HA HA” or “HAH enjoy the gift.” Each envelope bore Unglesbee’s name and return address. FBI Task Force Officer Chris Hobbs noted these mailings represent a common intimidation tactic designed to frighten government officials. Preliminary laboratory testing confirmed the substance contained no chemical or biological toxins.
When FBI agents interviewed Unglesbee at his home on Saturday, he confessed to sending the letters and admitted the powder was ordinary table salt. He specifically chose salt because it resembled anthrax and knew recipients would perceive it as a biological weapon threat. Unglesbee acknowledged he anticipated emergency responders arriving in hazmat suits and understood the recipients would not realize he was joking.
Disturbing Pattern of Threats Against Elected Officials
During the home search, investigators discovered a fifth unsent letter addressed to one congressman’s Washington office. FBI records show Unglesbee mailed the threatening letters on October 19. He told agents he got the idea after overhearing restaurant conversation about similar letters congressional members had received, though this claim remains unverified.
This incident highlights growing concerns about threats against elected officials and their staff members. Such hoaxes waste valuable law enforcement resources, traumatize congressional staff, and disrupt the essential work of representative government. The federal charges Unglesbee faces carry serious penalties, reflecting how seriously authorities treat attempts to intimidate members of Congress through fake biological weapon threats, regardless of the perpetrator’s claimed intentions.