Minooka Man Gets Long Federal Prison Term For Dangerous Explosives

MINOOKA, IL — A 32-year-old Minooka man who pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous explosive devices, including black powder, is now on his way to the federal penitentiary.

The U.S. Attorney's Office of John Lausch issued Friday's press release, revealing that John Feeney drew a federal prison term of 12-and-a-half years for illegally possessing guns and explosive devices.

Federal prosecutors said Feeney had two handguns, three explosives, multiple magazines of ammunition, and drug paraphernalia back on Jan. 25, 2020, in Morris.

Feeney's 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
• A 2-inch diameter cardboard aerial shell secured to a plastic cup and containing metal Phillips-head bits, copper wire, and perchlorate explosives.

During a dispute a day earlier, in January 2020, Feeney used one of the guns to shoot at someone, striking the person's vehicle, Lausch's press release outlined.

Feeney had previously been convicted of a felony offense in state court and was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or explosives.

Earlier this year, Feeney pleaded guilty in federal court earlier to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of illegal possession of an explosive during the commission of a felony.

On Wednesday in Chicago, U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso imposed the 150-month prison sentence for Feeney.