A disturbing "joke" involving white powder and threats to members of Congress has landed an Illinois man in federal custody, facing serious felony charges. Matthew G. Unglesbee of Illinois is accused of sending multiple letters containing an unknown white substance to congressional offices, triggering alarm and swift federal intervention.
Federal prosecutors charged Unglesbee with two felonies: false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. Court filings indicate that at least four members of Congress received the unsettling correspondence, each marked with Unglesbee's return address, leaving little doubt as to the sender's identity.
In a bizarre twist, Unglesbee later admitted to the FBI that the substance was merely salt and that his actions were intended as a "joke." Yet, his own admission highlights a disturbing lack of judgment: he confessed knowing full well that recipients would perceive the powder as a potential anthrax threat, anticipating responses that would include hazmat teams.
The seriousness of Unglesbee's "prank" became evident on October 16, when the FBI received a crucial tip. An individual overheard Unglesbee at a restaurant openly discussing having mailed suspicious substances to members of Congress. This tipster provided authorities with Unglesbee’s full name, address, and date of birth, allowing federal agents to quickly move into action.
The FBI's Chicago field office swiftly responded to three congressional offices in northern Illinois following the tip and a 911 call from one of the affected offices. A staff member at "Congressperson A's" office described receiving a letter that felt like it contained powder, prompting immediate concern and the emergency call. This office, already on high alert from a similar letter received weeks prior, knew the gravity of such a discovery.
All three initial letters contained a "white granular substance" and a handwritten message ominously reading, "HA HA." The chilling simplicity of the message underscored a deliberate intent to create fear and disruption, regardless of the substance's actual composition.
The pattern of intimidation continued. On Friday, the FBI extended its investigation to a fourth member of Congress – a senator in the Northern District of Illinois – who also received an envelope with a white granular substance. This letter carried a similar, mocking message: "HAH enjoy the gift." All four letters consistently bore Unglesbee’s name and return address.
FBI Task Force Officer Chris Hobbs, who drafted the criminal complaint, rightly characterized these letters as a common intimidation tactic. While preliminary lab tests thankfully "did not detect the presence of chemical or biological toxins in the white granular substance," the emotional and logistical toll on congressional staff and law enforcement is undeniable. Resources that should be dedicated to legitimate threats were diverted by a senseless act.
Unglesbee was interviewed at his home on Saturday, where he confessed to sending the letters. He recounted hearing about similar incidents involving Congress members and deliberately choosing salt because it resembled anthrax. His own words confirm his intent to cause alarm: "Unglesbee claimed he was joking but recognized that the recipients would not know he was joking and could perceive it as a threat," the complaint states.
The investigation also uncovered a fifth letter at Unglesbee's home, addressed to one of the congressional offices in Washington, D.C., further confirming his pattern of behavior. The FBI determined the letters were sent on October 19. This incident serves as a stark reminder that "jokes" threatening public officials and inciting fear carry severe consequences. In an era where national security and public trust are paramount, acts of intimidation against our elected representatives cannot and will not be dismissed as mere pranks. Accountability for such actions is essential to upholding law and order and protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions.
