Illinois man charged with mailing white powder to members of Congress

Federal prosecutors charged 37-year-old Matthew G. Unglesbee of Quincy, Illinois, on October 26, 2026, after he mailed four envelopes containing table salt and taunting notes to Illinois lawmakers. Unglesbee confessed to FBI agents that he copied a broader wave of suspicious mailings targeting over 80 lawmakers nationwide, intentionally using salt because it resembles anthrax. Law enforcement verified the substance was harmless, and Unglesbee now faces federal hoax and threat charges.

Federal charges against Matthew Unglesbee

• ▪Matthew G. Unglesbee, 37, of Quincy, Illinois, was charged in federal court with mailing threatening communications and mailing false information and hoaxes
• ▪Federal authorities charged Matthew G. Unglesbee with mailing four letters containing a white granular substance and handwritten notes to Illinois members of Congress
• ▪The charges against Matthew G. Unglesbee carry maximum potential prison sentences of five years for hoaxes and ten years for mailing threatening communications

Targeting of Illinois congressional offices

• ▪Representative Jan Schakowsky stated that her Skokie district office received suspicious mail twice within seven days, prompting responses from hazardous materials units and the FBI
• ▪Illinois Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Mike Quigley, and Brad Schneider received suspicious envelopes containing white powder at their district offices in Skokie, Chicago, and Lincolnshire
• ▪Representative Jan Schakowsky stated she would not allow threats to disrupt her legislative office's service to the 9th District

Investigation and physical evidence

• ▪The FBI began its investigation after receiving an anonymous tip reporting that the tipster overheard Matthew G. Unglesbee discussing mailing substances to members of Congress
• ▪Chemical testing conducted by law enforcement confirmed that the white powder mailed by Matthew G. Unglesbee was non-toxic salt and contained no biological or chemical agents
• ▪During a search of Matthew G. Unglesbee's Quincy, Illinois residence, FBI agents discovered a fifth, unmailed envelope addressed to a member of Congress
• ▪The four envelopes mailed by Matthew G. Unglesbee were postmarked in Springfield, Illinois, and displayed his real name and Quincy, Illinois home address as the return address

Unglesbee's statements to the FBI

• ▪Matthew G. Unglesbee told FBI agents that he mailed envelopes containing table salt after hearing news coverage about suspicious powder sent to other lawmakers
• ▪Matthew G. Unglesbee denied involvement in any suspicious letters sent to members of Congress outside Illinois
• ▪Matthew G. Unglesbee acknowledged to FBI agents that he chose salt because it resembles anthrax, knowing recipients would perceive the letters as dangerous and fear for their safety

Broader wave of suspicious mailings

• ▪The broader wave of suspicious letters bore 'DSA' markings and a Democratic Socialists of America return address, leading the organization to issue a public denial of involvement
• ▪More than seven dozen federal and state lawmakers were targeted in October 2026 by an earlier, larger wave of suspicious letters containing white powder
• ▪House Sergeant-at-Arms William McFarland warned congressional offices in an official advisory memo to expect additional suspicious mailings