Illinois Man Charged With Mailing White Powder to 4 Legislators

A 36-year-old man from Illinois has been arrested after allegedly sending letters containing a white powder to four members of Congress. Officials say the man told investigators he used salt because it looked like anthrax.

Matthew G. Unglesbee, from Quincy, Illinois, was arrested on Sunday after federal agents searched his home. On Monday, officials made public criminal charges accusing him of sending threatening mail and making false claims or hoaxes.

According to an FBI report, agents found suspicious letters at three congressional district offices in northern Illinois on October 21. Each letter contained a white, grainy substance and a handwritten message that said “HA HA.”

Two days later, another similar envelope was found at a senator’s office in the same region. It contained a white substance and a message reading, “HAH enjoy the gift.” Officials have not revealed the names of the lawmakers who received the letters.

Emergency teams trained to handle dangerous materials responded to at least two offices. At one office in Chicago, a staff member separated the suspicious mail from other items, cleared the area and called 911 after finding an envelope with the suspect’s name on it.

None of the recipients opened the letters. Early laboratory tests found no chemical or biological toxins in the white substance.

All four envelopes listed Unglesbee’s name and home address as the return address. They were stamped in Springfield on October 19. Postal inspectors believe the letters were mailed from Quincy on October 16 or 17.

The FBI received an anonymous tip on October 16. The person said they had overheard Unglesbee in a restaurant talking about sending suspicious substances to members of Congress.

During questioning on Sunday, Unglesbee admitted sending the four letters. Investigators said he had heard people discussing news reports about earlier cases involving suspicious mail.

Unglesbee told agents that the substance was salt. He said he chose it because the white powder looked like anthrax. He claimed he was joking but admitted that the people receiving the letters would not know that and might think the letters were threats.

He denied being involved in the earlier cases mentioned in news reports.

During a search of his home, agents also found an empty envelope that had not been mailed. It was addressed to the Washington office of one of the lawmakers who had received a letter.

Unglesbee appeared in federal court on Monday. A hearing to decide whether he will remain in custody is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at the federal courthouse in Springfield.