An Illinois man has been charged after he allegedly mailed four letters containing a white grainy substance to members of Congress. The letters had his name and home address on the envelopes. Two of the letters also contained short notes that raised concern among lawmakers and law enforcement.
The man, Matthew Unglesbee, faces two federal charges. They are false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. He is due to make his first court appearance on Monday afternoon.
The case comes as federal agents look into other letters with suspicious substances sent to members of Congress and election officials in recent weeks. Officials have not said that Unglesbee was involved in those other cases.
According to court records, the four letters were sent to four members of Congress. Each envelope contained a white grainy substance. Some of the letters also had short handwritten notes.
One letter included the words “HA HA.” Another carried the message “HAH enjoy the gift.” The notes and the white substance led to concerns about the possible threat.
A photo from one congressional district office showed white grains spilling from an unopened envelope. The image was part of the material linked to the investigation.
The letters were sent in envelopes that bore Unglesbee’s name and home address. This detail gave investigators a direct lead as they worked to identify the sender and learn why the letters had been mailed.
Authorities have not reported any confirmed harm caused by the substance. The case is focused on the letters, their contents, and the risk they may have caused to the people who received them.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation spoke with Unglesbee on Sunday. During the interview, he allegedly admitted that he had mailed four letters to four members of Congress.
According to the FBI, Unglesbee said he had heard about other letters that were sent earlier in October. He then mailed his own letters, investigators said.
The FBI also said Unglesbee knew that people might see the letters as dangerous. That point is important to the charges, as the case involves both the nature of the messages and the way the mailings could be viewed by their recipients.
During the interview, Unglesbee said the white grainy substance was salt. He reportedly told agents that it “kind of looks like” anthrax.
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by bacteria. Its name is often linked to fears about white powder found in mail, as past cases have shown how such reports can lead to major security concerns.
The FBI has not said that the substance in these letters was anthrax. The claim that it was salt came from Unglesbee during his interview, according to investigators.
Unglesbee also denied having any role in the earlier mailings, the FBI said. Investigators are looking into those cases as a separate part of their work.
The investigation did not end with the four letters that had already been mailed. A search of Unglesbee’s home led to the discovery of a fifth envelope, according to the FBI.
The envelope was empty and had not been mailed. It was also addressed to a member of Congress.
The discovery may help investigators understand whether Unglesbee planned to send more letters. However, the available court information does not say why he had prepared the fifth envelope or whether he intended to use it.
The case also comes at a time when authorities are examining other suspicious mail sent to public officials. Those reports have raised concern about the safety of congressional offices and election workers.
Officials have not linked Unglesbee to the other cases. Investigators will need to review the evidence before they can determine whether the separate incidents share any connection.
Unglesbee faces charges related to false information, hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. These allegations concern the use of the postal system to send messages that may cause fear or raise concern about a possible threat.
His first court appearance is set for Monday afternoon. The hearing will mark an early step in the federal case.
The charges are allegations, and Unglesbee is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Further court proceedings may provide more details about the letters, the substance, and the reasons behind the mailings.
For now, the FBI continues to investigate the case and other reports of suspicious mail. The agency has not said whether the substance in the letters posed a real health risk.
The discovery of the four mailed letters and the fifth empty envelope gives investigators several pieces of evidence to review. The next steps will help establish the facts and determine how the case will proceed.
