Federal authorities have charged a 36-year-old Illinois man with mailing four threatening letters containing a white powdery substance to members of Congress, according to court records and the Department of Justice.
On Monday, Matthew Unglesbee of Quincy, Illinois, appeared in federal court in Springfield, where he was charged with mailing threatening communications and perpetrating a hoax. A detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. Unglesbee remains in custody pending further proceedings.
Investigation Details
The FBI opened an investigation after receiving an anonymous tip on October 16 that Unglesbee discussed mailing suspicious substances to lawmakers. Three days later, letters addressed to multiple congressional offices were received, all postmarked from Springfield, Illinois. None of the recipients opened the envelopes, and testing confirmed the white substance was salt, not a hazardous material.
In a Sunday interview with FBI agents, Unglesbee admitted sending the letters after hearing about similar mailings in the news earlier in October. He acknowledged that recipients would likely perceive the letters as dangerous, noting that the substance resembled anthrax. Court documents state Unglesbee wrote "HAH enjoy the gift" and "HA HA" on some of the envelopes. A fifth unmailed envelope addressed to a member of Congress was also found during a search of his residence.
Legal Charges and Court Proceedings
Unglesbee faces two federal charges: mailing threatening communications and perpetrating a hoax. His initial court appearance took place Monday afternoon, and a detention hearing is set for Wednesday. A defense attorney has not yet been listed in court records, and efforts to contact Unglesbee were unsuccessful as of Monday.
Timeline of Events
- October 16: FBI receives an anonymous tip regarding Unglesbee’s alleged plans.
- October 19: Four letters are postmarked from Springfield, Illinois, and sent to congressional offices.
- October 21-23: Recipients receive the letters, none of which are opened.
- October 23: Unglesbee is arrested and charged by federal authorities.
- October 23: Unglesbee appears in court; detention hearing scheduled for October 25.