Communication with a domestic terrorist is strange. Communication with the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, is stranger yet. John Gonsler, a third semester criminal justice professor at Morningside University, not only communicated with the Unabomber, he was pen pals with the known terrorist.

John Gonsler is a man with charisma. He holds himself well and speaks better. He can be intimidating at first due to his handlebar mustache and tattoos covering his body from the neck collar on down. Yet his smile is disarming allowing for easy conversation.

Gonsler has a fascination with serial killers and terrorists, and did masters work on the subject. He had found himself struggling to work on his subject when his professor, Dr. Mark Ham, suggested to just start writing letters to various serial killers and terrorists. Gonsler wrote 20+ letters to these people.

One man replied.

The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.

Gonsler noted that when Kaczynski wrote back his professor was visibly irritated stating that he had been trying to make contact with the Unabomber for “10 fucking years.”

Gonsler had no idea why Kaczynski decided to write him back, but took advantage nonetheless. Gonsler first noted how meticulous Kaczynski wrote. He had phenomenal handwriting, the spacing between every letter, word, and line was the same, and always ended his letters with “Sincerely yours,”.

Ted Kaczynski wrote Gonsler for eight months. Gonsler learned about Ted’s thoughts on government, freedom, and technology. Ted was reported as being concerned that with more technology comes more government ability to oversee the people and restrict freedoms.

The communication ended when Gonsler began asking personal questions that Kaczynski did not care for. Gonsler has not published any of his material from communication with the Unabomber.

Gonsler ended it with noting that his communication with the Unabomber earned him a spot on a “federal security list for 7 or 8 years.”