Man accused of sending threatening letters containing white substance to members of Congress

WASHINGTON — A man has been charged in Illinois with sending four letters containing a white grainy substance to members of Congress, all sent in envelopes containing his name and home address.

Matthew Unglesbee was accused of sending threatening letters containing a white grainy substance to three members of Congress, as well as a handwritten letter reading “HA HA.” A fourth letter with a white grainy substance included the note “HAH, enjoy the gift.”

Unglesbee faces two charges: false information and hoaxes, and sending threatening communications. He will make a first appearance in court Monday afternoon.

In an interview with FBI personnel on Sunday, Unglesbee allegedly admitted to sending four letters to four members of Congress after learning about other letters sent earlier in the month. The FBI is separately investigating letters containing suspicious substances that were sent to members of Congress and election officials in recent weeks.

Unglesbee admitted that he knew people would perceive the letters as dangerous, according to the FBI. He said in the FBI interview that the granular substance was salt, which he said “looks a little bit like” anthrax. He denied any involvement in previous mailings.

A search of his residence revealed a fifth, empty, unmailed envelope addressed to a member of Congress, according to the FBI.

The case began after an anonymous online informant told the FBI he overheard Unglesbee talking about sending a suspicious substance to members of Congress. The information was received on October 16, and the FBI responded when the letters arrived in the offices of members of Congress three days later.