Federal Indictment Charges Grundy County Man With Illegally Possessing Explosive Devices

 CHICAGO — A Grundy County man has been indicted in federal court in Chicago on charges he illegally possessed explosive devices and handguns.

JOHN FEENEY, 30, of Minooka, is charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of illegal possession of an explosive by a convicted felon, one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device, and one count of carrying explosives during the commission of a felony. 

According to the indictment, Feeney illegally possessed two handguns and three explosives on Jan. 25, 2020, in Morris.  The explosives included a 4-inch diameter cardboard aerial shell containing perchlorate explosives and black powder; a 2-inch diameter cardboard aerial shell containing perchlorate explosives; and a 2-inch diameter cardboard aerial shell secured to a plastic cup and containing metal Phillips head bits, cut copper wire, and perchlorate explosives, the indictment states.  Feeney was previously convicted of a felony and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm or explosive.

The indictment was returned Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  Feeney is currently in law enforcement custody.  Arraignment in federal court has not yet been scheduled.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Kristen deTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The Grundy County Sheriff’s Department provided valuable assistance.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cornelius Vandenberg.

The count of carrying explosives during the commission of a felony includes a mandatory ten-year prison sentence that must be served consecutively to any sentence imposed for the three other counts, each of which is punishable by up to ten years.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.