Pekin Man Charged with Possessing Homemade Explosive Devices and a Firearm as a Felon

Peoria, Ill. – A Pekin, Illinois man, Dalton Lee Mattus, of the 30^th block of S. 2^nd Street, has been charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession of homemade explosive devices and possessing a firearm as a felon, announced the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Gregory K. Harris.

The complaint alleges that, following a traffic stop on May 17, 2024, police located several syringes, a small scale, and a padlocked bag in the passenger area of Mattus’s car.  Inside the bag, police located a stolen handgun and two homemade destructive devices. The devices were cylinder-shaped and were each equipped with yellow pyrotechnic fuses. Each device was glued shut on both ends with metallic BBs mixed throughout the glue. Police later searched Mattus’s apartment where they located three additional explosive devices, live firearm ammunition, and additional materials used in the construction of destructive devices.

Mattus, whose record includes multiple felony convictions, was arrested on May 17, 2024, and charged in Tazewell County state court with felon in possession of a firearm. Mattus was detained following a detention hearing in state court. A preliminary/detention hearing is scheduled for June 4, 2024, at 2:30 P.M. at the U.S. Courthouse in Peoria, Illinois.

Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. 

If convicted, Mattus faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

Agencies participating in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Springfield Field Office, Pekin Police Department, and Peoria Police Department. Ronald L. Hanna is representing the government in the prosecution.