- Matthew Unglesbee, a 37-year-old man from Quincy, Illinois, has been charged with sending threatening letters containing a white powder to members of Congress, including one with a note reading “HAH enjoy the gift,” according to federal court records.
- The FBI received a tip on Oct. 16 that Unglesbee had discussed mailing suspicious substances to Congress, prompting an investigation.
- Unglesbee mailed at least four envelopes postmarked Oct. 19 from Springfield, Illinois, which were addressed with his own name in the return address section.
- The most recent letter was received on Oct. 23 at a U.S. senator's office, containing a white powdery substance.
- During an interview with the FBI on Oct. 25, Unglesbee allegedly confessed to mailing the letters as a joke, claiming the substance was salt.
- A criminal complaint was unsealed on Monday, charging Unglesbee with two felonies: mailing threatening communications and perpetrating a hoax.
- The investigation began after an anonymous tipster reported overhearing Unglesbee in a restaurant talking about mailing a suspicious substance to members of Congress.
- Authorities found a fifth envelope addressed to another congress member's Washington, D.C., office during a search of Unglesbee's home.
- FBI Task Force Officer Chris Hobbs characterized the letters as a common intimidation tactic, noting that preliminary lab testing did not detect any chemical or biological toxins.
Matthew Unglesbee, 37, of Quincy, Illinois, faces charges for mailing at least four envelopes containing a white powdery substance to members of Congress, with one letter stating, "HAH enjoy the gift." The letters were postmarked on October 19 and bore Unglesbee's return address.1
The investigation began after an anonymous tipster reported overhearing Unglesbee discussing the mailings at a restaurant on October 16. Following the tip, the FBI tracked him down after the letters arrived at congressional offices. None of the recipients opened the letters, but the FBI noted that the letters were a common intimidation tactic.10
FBI Task Force Officer Chris Hobbs stated that preliminary lab tests "did not detect the presence of chemical or biological toxins" in the substance. Unglesbee told investigators that the powder was actually salt and claimed he mailed the letters as a joke, knowing they could be perceived as dangerous.
The most recent envelope was received on October 23 at a U.S. senator's office. Unglesbee is charged with mailing threatening communications and perpetrating a hoax, with court records indicating he anticipated a hazmat response due to the nature of the mailings.
Authorities also found a fifth envelope addressed to another congress member's Washington, D.C., office during a search of Unglesbee's home, although he denied involvement with that mailing.9
“The FBI says none of the recipients opened the letters, and preliminary lab testing did not detect chemical or biological toxins. Unglesbee told agents he used salt because it looked like anthrax, knowing recipients would take it seriously and could prompt hazmat responses.”
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