Illinois Man Faces Federal Charges Over Letters Sent to Congress

A 37-year-old Illinois man faces federal charges after investigators accused him of mailing four envelopes containing a white granular substance to members of Congress in the Chicago area. Matthew Unglesbee of Quincy allegedly sent the letters after hearing about similar mailings reported earlier in October, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Monday, October 26, 2026.

The U.S. District Court complaint charges Unglesbee with mailing threatening communications and providing false information and perpetrating a hoax. According to the FBI, he acknowledged sending the four letters and said the substance was salt, although he understood recipients could interpret the mailings as dangerous.

Three letters contained handwritten notes reading "HA HA," while a fourth included the message "HAH enjoy the gift," according to court documents. The envelopes carried handwritten addresses, identified Unglesbee as the sender and were postmarked in Springfield, Illinois, on October 19.

Investigators said testing found no harmful or toxic substance in the mailings. A search of Unglesbee's residence also uncovered a fifth, empty envelope addressed to another member of Congress at a Washington, D.C., office, according to the criminal complaint.

The FBI began investigating after receiving an anonymous tip on October 16 from someone who said they had overheard Unglesbee discussing the mailing of suspicious substances to lawmakers. Three days later, congressional offices received the first letters, prompting notifications to federal authorities.

During an interview with FBI agents at his home on Sunday, Unglesbee allegedly said he had been motivated by news about similar letters sent to public officials. Investigators said he acknowledged knowing that recipients might take the mailings seriously because of the dangers associated with anthrax.

According to the complaint, "Unglesbee claimed he was joking but recognized the recipients would not know he was joking and could perceive it as a threat." He denied involvement in separate mailings sent to public officials outside Illinois.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, a Democrat from Illinois, confirmed that his Chicago district office received suspicious mail and said staff followed law enforcement guidance before contacting authorities.

His office also notified Chicago police and U.S. Capitol Police and evacuated as a precaution.

Quigley described the incident as an attempt to intimidate elected officials and public servants ahead of the midterm elections. He urged political leaders from both parties to condemn political violence and reduce inflammatory political rhetoric.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky also reported suspicious mail at her Skokie office.

Her staff recognized the envelope after receiving warnings from the House Sergeant at Arms and worked with local police and U.S. Capitol Police to respond.

Schakowsky said, "This will by no means deter me and my team from continuing our work and prioritizing the needs of Illinois' 9th Congressional District." Her office reported that staff did not open the suspicious envelope.

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider's office in Lincolnshire also received a letter and followed established screening procedures before contacting authorities. Local police, firefighters and a hazardous materials team examined the mailing and determined it contained no harmful substance, according to his office.

Schneider said, "Anyone or any group who thinks they can scare or intimidate Members of Congress or our teams from doing our job and work on behalf of the people we represent is sorely mistaken." His office also thanked local authorities, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their response.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly confirmed that one of her district offices received an envelope containing a suspicious substance.

Her staff contacted local law enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police, and she said the safety of her employees remained her priority.

The suspicious mailings extended beyond congressional offices. Cook County officials in downtown Chicago also received envelopes that prompted emergency responses, including one delivered to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas that contained baking powder, according to ABC7 Chicago.

Law enforcement sources told ABC News that more than 100 potentially suspicious white-powder letters were circulating in the U.S. mail system. Authorities had not identified the person responsible for separate mailings sent to senators and state election officials around the country.

The House Sergeant at Arms issued a notice to members and staff on October 15 warning of reports involving suspicious white powder sent to public officials. The notice urged congressional offices to follow established mail-handling procedures and contact law enforcement immediately when suspicious items arrived.

Unglesbee was also being held in Adams County, Illinois, in connection with state charges of harassment through electronic communications, according to the Adams County Sheriff's Office. His initial appearance on the federal charges was scheduled for Monday afternoon in Springfield, court records said.