An Illinois man has been charged after he allegedly sent four letters containing a white grainy substance to members of Congress. The envelopes also held short notes that raised fears among lawmakers and law enforcement.
Matthew Unglesbee faces two federal charges. They include false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. He is due to appear in court on Monday afternoon.
The case comes as federal agents investigate other reports of strange mail sent to members of Congress and election officials. These reports have raised fresh concerns about the safety of public offices. However, officials have not linked Unglesbee to the other cases.
Court records state that Unglesbee allegedly sent four letters to four members of Congress. Each envelope contained a white grainy substance. Some letters also included short notes written by hand.
One note said “HA HA.” Another read “HAH enjoy the gift.” The words, along with the unknown substance, caused concern about a possible threat.
A photo from a congressional district office showed white grains spilling from an unopened envelope. The image was included in material linked to the investigation.
The envelopes carried Unglesbee’s name and home address. This gave investigators a clear lead as they worked to find the sender and learn why the letters were mailed.
Authorities have not reported any confirmed injury or illness linked to the substance. Investigators are looking at the letters, their contents, and the possible risk to those who received them.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed 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 sent earlier in October. He then sent his own letters, investigators said.
The FBI also stated that Unglesbee knew people might see the letters as dangerous. This claim may matter to the case because the charges relate to the messages and the fear they could cause.
During the interview, Unglesbee told agents that the white grainy substance was salt. He reportedly said that it “kind of looks like” anthrax.
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by bacteria. The name can cause fear when people find unknown white powder in the mail. Reports of such material can lead to security checks and concern among the public.
The FBI has not confirmed that the substance in the letters was anthrax. The claim that it was salt came from Unglesbee during his interview, according to investigators.
Unglesbee also denied taking part in the earlier mailings, the FBI said. Agents are reviewing those cases as a separate part of their work.
The inquiry continued after agents searched Unglesbee’s home. During the search, they found a fifth envelope, according to the FBI.
The fifth envelope was empty and had not been mailed. It was also addressed to a member of Congress.
The discovery may help agents learn whether Unglesbee planned to send more letters. Yet the court records do not explain why he prepared the extra envelope or whether he meant to use it.
The case has drawn attention because other public officials have also received suspicious mail in recent weeks. Such reports have raised concerns about the safety of congressional staff and election workers.
Officials have not said that Unglesbee was involved in those other incidents. Investigators must review the available evidence before they can decide whether the cases are linked.
The charges against Unglesbee concern false information, hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. These offenses relate to the use of the postal system to send messages that may cause fear or suggest a danger.
His first court appearance is set for Monday afternoon. The hearing will mark an early stage in the federal case. More details may emerge as the legal process moves forward.
The charges are allegations, and Unglesbee is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Future court records may explain more about the letters, the substance, and the reason they were sent.
For now, the FBI continues to investigate the case and other reports of suspicious mail. The agency has not confirmed whether the substance posed a real health risk.
The four mailed letters and the fifth empty envelope remain key parts of the inquiry. Investigators will need to assess the evidence to establish what happened and decide what steps to take next.
