Man charged with mailing threatening letters with white powder to 4 U.S. congresspeople

What This is

• Matthew Unglesbee, 37, of Quincy, Illinois, was charged in federal court with mailing threatening communications and carrying out a hoax involving a white granular substance sent to members of Congress.
• Prosecutors say at least four letters were mailed, and investigators found a fifth addressed envelope at his home that had not been sent.
• The envelopes included Unglesbee’s name and address and handwritten notes such as “HA HA” and “HAH enjoy the gift.”
• Unglesbee told FBI agents the substance was salt and that it “kind of looks like” anthrax, according to the charging account.
• Rep. Brad Schneider’s suburban Chicago district office was evacuated after staff found a second suspicious letter, following a similar incident five days earlier.
• The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a broader set of suspicious letters, some with white powder, sent to lawmakers and election offices across multiple states.

Why This Matters

• Threats sent through the mail can shut down offices and disrupt basic government work.
• White-powder hoaxes create real danger because staff and first responders must treat them like possible biological attacks until testing is done.
• A wider, unsolved mailing campaign can intimidate election officials and lawmakers, and it can increase fear and security costs during an election season.