Man charged over congressional salt letters

The cost of uncertainty for congressional offices in Illinois has risen as a man faces federal charges for mailing suspicious envelopes to four members of Congress. Matthew Unglesbee has been charged in Illinois with sending letters containing a white granular substance to lawmakers. All four envelopes bore his name and home address.

Unglesbee faces two specific counts: false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Monday afternoon. Prosecutors allege he sent three letters with the white substance to members of Congress, plus a handwritten note that simply read “HA HA.” A fourth letter contained the same substance with the note “HAH enjoy the gift.”

During an FBI interview on Sunday, Unglesbee admitted to mailing the four letters. Authorities said he claimed he heard about other suspicious mailings earlier in the month and decided to send his own. He identified the granular substance as salt, stating it “kind of looks like” anthrax. He denied involvement with any prior mailings but acknowledged that recipients would likely view the letters as dangerous.

The case originated from an anonymous online tip received by the FBI on Oct. 16. The informant reported overhearing Unglesbee discuss mailing a suspicious substance to lawmakers. The FBI acted after the letters arrived at congressional offices three days later. A search of Unglesbee’s residence revealed a fifth, unmailed, and empty envelope addressed to a member of Congress.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., confirmed her awareness of the suspect’s custody in relation to a recent suspicious letter sent to her district office. 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 serving the people of the 9th District. She noted that her community relies on the services provided by her Skokie office.

The FBI is separately investigating other letters containing suspicious substances sent to members of Congress and elections officials in recent weeks. Unglesbee’s alleged actions follow these earlier reports, adding to the administrative burden on legislative staff tasked with verifying and disposing of potential threats.