Mail Fraud: Illinois Man Sent Salt to Lawmakers

Matthew Unglesbee stood in his Illinois home on Oct. 19, preparing envelopes for members of Congress. He wrote his name and address on the front of each package. Inside, he placed a white granular substance that he later identified as salt. The FBI believes he mailed four such letters in total.

Federal prosecutors charged Unglesbee with false information and hoaxes and mailing threatening communications. The letters arrived at the offices of three members of Congress. A fourth letter, which contained the same substance, included a handwritten note that read "HAH enjoy the gift." A separate handwritten letter sent to a lawmaker contained only the words "HA HA."

The investigation began on Oct. 16 when an anonymous tipster contacted the FBI. The informant claimed to have overheard Unglesbee discuss mailing a suspicious substance to congressional offices. Agents acted after the letters appeared at their destinations three days later.

In an interview with FBI personnel on Sunday, Unglesbee alleged he sent the mailings after hearing about other suspicious letters sent earlier in the month. He told agents the granular substance was salt because it "kind of looks like" anthrax. He acknowledged that people would perceive the letters as dangerous. He denied involvement with the prior mailings that the FBI is separately investigating.

A search of Unglesbee's residence revealed a fifth unmailed envelope. The empty envelope was addressed to a member of Congress. Unglesbee is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Monday afternoon.

The case adds to a series of investigations into suspicious mailings sent to congressional offices and elections officials in recent weeks.