HOMELESS MAN GETS EIGHT YEARS FOR POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVES

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that David Watts, a forty one year-old homeless man, (d.o.b. 6/15/1967) was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to one count of Possession of Explosives, a Class 1 Felony.  Watts entered his plea this morning in front of Judge Blanche Fawell who imposed the sentence.

             Today’s sentencing stems from allegations that at approximately 9 a.m. on January 1, 2008, while conducting a routine check of a Teamster’s Union office, West Chicago Police observed Watts’ vehicle parked at the Union office at an unusual angle.  When officers approached the vehicle they encountered an armed Watts along with five gallons of gasoline, fireworks and a wick.  Police also found threatening papers naming several Kane County officials and the Aurora Police Department.  Watts was taken into custody without incident.

             “I would like to commend the West Chicago Police Department for their fine police work in this case,” commented Birkett.  “Their observations of Mr. Watts’ vehicle that morning may have prevented a much more violent resolution in the case against Mr. Watts.  Because of their insightful actions, we were able to get Mr. Watts off the streets and behind bars before he could cause any harm.”

             In addition to his prison sentence, Watts was also ordered to pay a $630 fine, submit a DNA sample to be entered into the State’s Convicted Felon DNA database and serve two years parole upon his release from prison. 

###