Fairview Heights Man Indicted on Explosive, Threat Charges

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on October 5, 2010, ROMAN O. CONAWAY, age 50, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, in a two-count indictment charging him with making a false threat to detonate an explosive device; and influencing a federal officer by threat. The crime of making a false threat to detonate an explosive device is punishable by not more than five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years’ supervised release. The crime of Influencing a federal officer by threat is punishable by not more than 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years' supervised release.

The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed on September 22, and alleges that on September 21, 2010, agents of the FBI and United States Secret Service went to CONAWAY’s home to investigate allegations that he had made threats to an individual associated with a St. Louis-area mosque. CONAWAY allegedly walked out of his home to confront the agents wearing what appeared to be an explosive device affixed to his torso. After a seven-hour standoff with authorities, CONAWAY ultimately surrendered.

Agents from 11 law enforcement agencies participated in ending the seven-hour standoff. The investigation is being conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.