Illinois Man Charged With Mailing Salt to Congress Members

Matthew Unglesbee, an Illinois resident, was charged on Monday with mailing four letters containing a white granular substance to members of Congress. All four envelopes bore his name and home address. The federal government alleges the letters contained threatening notes and the substance, which Unglesbee identified as salt during an FBI interview.

Unglesbee faces two charges: false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday afternoon for his initial hearing. The case began after an anonymous tipster contacted the FBI on Oct. 16, claiming to have overheard Unglesbee discussing plans to mail a suspicious substance to lawmakers. The first letters arrived at congressional offices three days later.

According to the FBI, Unglesbee admitted in a Sunday interview that he mailed the letters after hearing about other suspicious mailings earlier in the month. He stated that the granular substance was salt and that it "kind of looks like" anthrax. He acknowledged that people would likely perceive the letters as dangerous but denied involvement with the prior mailings that the FBI is separately investigating.

The letters contained specific handwritten notes. Three were sent to members of Congress with threatening language, while a fourth included the note "HAH enjoy the gift." One additional handwritten letter read "HA HA." A search of Unglesbee’s residence uncovered a fifth, empty envelope that was unmailed and addressed to another member of Congress.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., confirmed her awareness of the suspect's custody. She received a second suspicious letter on Oct. 21. In a statement, Schakowsky thanked law enforcement and said she would not let threats interfere with her service to the 9th District. She noted that her team in Skokie would continue its work.

The FBI is continuing its separate investigation into other letters containing suspicious substances sent to members of Congress and elections officials in recent weeks. Unglesbee’s case is distinct from those inquiries, though the timing of the mailings overlaps.