Probation for Elgin man for explosives arrest
An Elgin man accused of crafting and detonating homemade fireworks last year pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony possession of an incendiary device and was sentenced to four years of probation, counseling and substance abuse treatment, according to prosecutors.
David C. Minard, 37, of the 300 block of Fulton Street, was initially questioned by police in May 2015 after neighbors complained he was setting off fireworks near his home.
Authorities investigated and a grand jury indicted him in September because Minard's stash of gunpowder and other materials could have been used to make pipe bombs and other lethal devices, police said at the time.
There was no indication Minard planned to blow up anything and was making fireworks for fun, police said.
Minard was released Wednesday from the Kane County jail, where he had been held for 209 days since his arrest on $50,000 bail and for a mental health evaluation, records show.
Under the plea agreement approved by Kane County Judge Donald Tegeler, Minard also must complete individual counseling and drug/alcohol rehabilitation and cannot own fireworks or any explosives, according to prosecutors.
If Minard violates his probation, he could be resentenced to anywhere from additional probation to up to 15 years in prison.
According to authorities, police found gunpowder, cardboard cylinders wrapped in metallic tape, jars with various flammable liquids, PVC pipe wrapped in metallic tape, 12 homemade cherry bombs, and a 16-ounce container of muzzle loading propellent at his residence.