Illinois man accused of sending threatening letters with white substance to members of Congress
WASHINGTON, DC: An Illinois man has been charged with mailing threatening letters containing a white granular substance to members of Congress, including notes that read “HA HA” and “HAH enjoy the gift.” Matthew Unglesbee allegedly sent four letters to four lawmakers, knowing recipients would perceive them as dangerous, according to the FBI.
The case comes as federal authorities investigate other suspicious mailings sent to congressional offices and election officials in recent weeks. An anonymous tip led investigators to Unglesbee, whose home address appeared on the envelopes. The FBI also found a fifth, empty envelope addressed to a member of Congress during a search of his residence.
Registered Democrat Facing Federal Charges After Mailing Hoax White Powder to Multiple Members of Congress A 37-year-old Quincy, Illinois man identified as Matthew Unglesbee faces federal charges for allegedly mailing threatening letters containing a suspicious white substance to multiple Illinois members of Congress. Reports indicate that Unglesbee is a registered Democrat in Adams County, Illinois. The federal investigation initiated after the FBI received an anonymous tip from an individual who overheard Unglesbee discussing the letters at a restaurant. In videos published to social media prior to his arrest, Unglesbee spoke explicitly to fellow Democrats, saying, "Let's flip the House and the Senate Democrat" and urging people to vote to change policies. Despite these statements, his specific actions targeted Democratic congressional offices, creating severe disruptions that prompted emergency law enforcement and hazardous materials responses. Envelopes were delivered to the offices of Senator Tammy Duckworth, Representative Mike Quigley, Representative Jan Schakowsky, and Representative Brad Schneider. Subsequent laboratory analysis determined that the enclosed white powder consisted of harmless table salt, accompanied by handwritten notes reading "Haha" or "Ha enjoy the gift". During interviews with federal investigators, Unglesbee reportedly admitted to sending the items as a copycat action. He acknowledged that recipients would likely perceive the substance as dangerous materials like anthrax and experience concern for their personal safety. Court records show that Unglesbee has an extensive criminal background, including previous convictions for child sexual assault, impersonating law enforcement, and threatening a local police chief. He is currently listed as a registered sex offender.
— Matt Robinson (@mattrobinson) October 27, 2026
Matthew Unglesbee faces charges over threatening letters to Congress
Unglesbee faces two charges: false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications.
Three lawmakers received letters described as threatening, while a fourth letter included the handwritten message “HAH enjoy the gift.” Another handwritten note read “HA HA.”
During an interview with FBI personnel on Sunday, October 25, Unglesbee allegedly admitted to mailing the four letters to four members of Congress. Investigators said he knew people would view the letters as dangerous.
Unglesbee reportedly told the FBI that the substance was salt and that it “kind of looks like” anthrax. He denied any involvement in earlier suspicious mailings that are part of a separate investigation.
The envelopes reportedly carried his name and home address, giving investigators a direct lead as they looked into the letters.
Yesterday, October 25, 2026, Matthew Unglesbee, 36, of Quincy was taken into custody based on a federal criminal complaint charging him with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1038 (False Information and Hoaxes), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 876 (Mailing Threatening Communications). The complaint alleges that Unglesbee was involved in mailing letters containing unknown substances to congressional offices.
— FBI Springfield (@FBISpringfield) October 26, 2026
FBI tip led investigators to Matthew Unglesbee
The investigation began after an anonymous online tipster contacted the FBI on October 16. The person reportedly told investigators that they had overheard Unglesbee talking about mailing a suspicious substance to members of Congress.
Three days later, the letters arrived at congressional offices, prompting the FBI to respond.
During a search of Unglesbee’s residence, investigators found a fifth envelope that had not been mailed. The envelope was empty and addressed to another member of Congress, according to the FBI.
Authorities have not provided further details about the intended recipient of that envelope. The discovery, however, added another element to the investigation into the suspicious mailings.
The FBI is also separately examining letters containing suspicious substances that were sent to members of Congress and election officials in recent weeks. Investigators have not linked Unglesbee to those earlier mailings, and he has denied involvement in them.
Rep Jan Schakowsky responds after second suspicious letter reaches her office
Rep Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat from Illinois, confirmed that she was aware of reports that a suspect had been taken into custody in connection with the latest suspicious letter sent to her district office.
Schakowsky received a second suspicious letter at her Skokie office on October 21. In a statement on Monday, she thanked law enforcement for its work and said the incident would not stop her office from serving constituents.
“I will not let threats stand in the way of serving the people of the 9th District,” Schakowsky said.
She added that her community relies on the services provided by her office and that she and her team would continue doing their work.
