Quincy man accused of mailing white powder letters to four Illinois lawmakers

FBI affidavit says substance was salt, letters included 'HA HA' messages

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources4 outlets

A 36-year-old Quincy man is accused of mailing letters containing white powder to four members of Illinois' congressional delegation, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. Matthew Unglesbee faces charges of mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes, the complaint says.

The letters contained a white granular substance and handwritten messages including "HA HA" and "HAH enjoy the gift," according to an FBI affidavit. Preliminary testing did not detect chemical or biological toxins in the substance.

During an interview with FBI agents Sunday, Unglesbee allegedly admitted mailing the four letters. He told investigators the substance was salt and said he used it because it resembled anthrax, according to the affidavit. Unglesbee said he knew the powder would be taken seriously and would have "hazmat come in white suits." He claimed he was joking, but acknowledged recipients could perceive the letters as dangerous.

The letters were postmarked in Springfield on Oct. 19. While searching Unglesbee's home, investigators also found an empty, unmailed envelope addressed to a congressional office in Washington, D.C. The complaint does not identify the four congressional recipients by name.

Several Illinois lawmakers have publicly reported receiving suspicious mail in recent weeks, including Democratic Reps. Mike Quigley, Brad Schneider and Jan Schakowsky. Quigley and Schakowsky each reported another letter last week. Sen. Tammy Duckworth's office also confirmed receiving two suspicious letters, sent to her Chicago office.

It has not been confirmed that all of those incidents are connected to the case against Unglesbee. In a statement, Quigley said he was "relieved to learn" an arrest had been made in connection with one of two suspicious mailings sent to his Chicago office. "This individual, and whoever is responsible for the other suspicious mail received around the country, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he said. Schakowsky said she was aware of reports of an arrest in connection with the letter sent to her Skokie office and thanked law enforcement for acting "quickly and decisively." Schneider's office said last Wednesday that it had received another piece of suspicious mail at his Lincolnshire office.

The investigation continues.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The case follows a series of suspicious mailings reported by Illinois lawmakers in recent weeks, prompting hazardous materials responses at their offices.
Federal charges for hoax threats carry serious penalties and reflect how law enforcement treats attempts to disrupt Congress.
The investigation continues and may determine whether the other reported mailings are connected to the same person.

Background

The mailing of powders and other substances to public officials has long been treated as a serious security threat, with even harmless materials triggering evacuations and hazardous-material responses because of the disruption they cause. The charges here allege the letters were intended to be taken seriously.

Key Perspectives

Matthew Unglesbee: Claims he was joking and told investigators the substance was salt, but acknowledged recipients could perceive the letters as dangerous. Rep. Mike Quigley: Says he was "relieved to learn" an arrest had been made in connection with one of two suspicious mailings to his Chicago office and called for prosecution "to the fullest extent of the law." Rep. Jan Schakowsky: Says she was aware of reports of an arrest in connection with the letter sent to her Skokie office and thanked officers for acting "quickly and decisively." Rep. Brad Schneider's office: Issued a statement saying it had received another piece of suspicious mail at his Lincolnshire office and thanked law enforcement for their response.

What to Watch

Whether further testing of the substance confirms it was salt and whether any of the other reported mailings are linked to Unglesbee.
Court proceedings in the Central District of Illinois, including any plea or additional charges.
Whether other lawmakers report further suspicious mail as the investigation continues.

Sources

Feds say Quincy man mailed letters containing white powder to members of Illinois congressional delegation · Chicago Sun-Times
AP Top U.S. News at 9:49 p.m. EDT · Philadelphia Inquirer
Illinois man charged in white powder mail hoax targeting members of Congress · Washington Examiner
Illinois man charged with mailing white powder to members of Congress · Philadelphia Inquirer

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedA Quincy man is accused of mailing white-powder letters to four Illinois lawmakers.Chicago Sun-Times: “A 36-year-old Quincy man is accused of mailing letters containing white powder to four members of Congress from Illinois”
Partly supportedThe summary says the FBI affidavit says the substance was salt.Chicago Sun-Times: “He told investigators the substance was salt and said he used it because it resembled anthrax, according to the affidavit.”
SupportedThe letters included handwritten messages reading “HA HA” and “HAH enjoy the gift.”Chicago Sun-Times: “The letters contained a white granular substance and handwritten messages, including “HA HA” and “HAH enjoy the gift,” according to an FBI affidavit.”
SupportedThe accused man is 36 years old and is named Matthew Unglesbee.Chicago Sun-Times: “A 36-year-old Quincy man is accused of mailing letters containing white powder to four members of Congress from Illinois”
SupportedUnglesbee faces charges of mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes.Chicago Sun-Times: “Matthew Unglesbee faces charges of mailing threatening communications, false information and hoaxes, according to the complaint filed in the Central District of Illinois.”
SupportedPreliminary testing did not detect chemical or biological toxins in the substance.Chicago Sun-Times: “Preliminary testing did not detect chemical or biological toxins in the substance.”
SupportedUnglesbee allegedly admitted to FBI agents during a Sunday interview that he mailed the four letters.Chicago Sun-Times: “During an interview with FBI agents Sunday, Unglesbee allegedly admitted mailing the four letters.”
SupportedUnglesbee said the powder would have “hazmat come in white suits.”Chicago Sun-Times: “Unglesbee said he knew the powder would be taken seriously and would have “hazmat come in white suits.””
SupportedIt has not been confirmed that the other lawmakers' suspicious-mail incidents are connected to Unglesbee's case.Chicago Sun-Times: “It has not been confirmed that all of those incidents are connected to the case against Unglesbee”
SupportedQuigley said he was “relieved to learn” an arrest had been made in connection with one of two suspicious mailings sent to his Chicago office.Chicago Sun-Times: “Quigley said he was “relieved to learn” an arrest had been made in connection with one of two suspicious mailings sent to his Chicago office.”
SupportedQuigley said the individual and whoever was responsible for other suspicious mail should be prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law.”Chicago Sun-Times: ““This individual, and whoever is responsible for the other suspicious mail received around the country, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Quigley said in a statement.”
SupportedSchakowsky thanked law enforcement for acting “quickly and decisively.”Chicago Sun-Times: “She also expressed gratitude to the law enforcement officers "who acted quickly and decisively to help ensure the safety of me and my staff and are working to hold those responsible accountable."”