Channahon Pipe Bomber Tried Targeting Trick-Or-Treaters Last Halloween: Prosecutors

CHANNAHON, IL — On Halloween of last year, the Channahon Police Department raided 38-year-old Bill Fossett's house on South Deal Avenue during the early morning hours. Fossett was arrested at the time of the raid after Channahon police "uncovered what appeared to be an explosive device," court documents show.

Back at the police station, Fossett explained how "he intended to place the device in a bowl of candy for approaching children, as it was Halloween," Will County's prosecutors outlined.

At the Channahon subdivision along South Deal Avenue, the Illinois State Police bomb squad was called and Fossett's device was composed of galvanized piping and end caps with a fuse protruding from one end, according to prosecutors. Upon learning of his pending arrest, prosecutors noted that Fossett reacted with surprise, exclaiming, "You guys are arresting me for the pipe bomb cause kids were scaring me?"

The Illinois State Police later determined the pipe bomb device was safe. An X-ray of the device showed it was still empty; however, a jar of nails was found directly next to the device. Police officers also found two more threaded pipes and 200 rounds of ammunition and 2.2 grams of methamphetamine inside Fossett's house, according to prosecutors.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow charged Fossett with attempted possession of explosives/incendiary devices, attempted use of weapons, possession of meth and illegal possession of ammunition.

Attorney Cosmo Tedone Works Out Plea Bargain For Fossett

As for Fossett, the Channahon resident remained inside the Will County Jail for nearly seven months following his Halloween morning arrest by Channahon police. Will County corrections deputies let him go home on May 20, and he has stayed out of trouble with the law ever since.

According to court records, Fossett was represented by downtown Joliet attorney Cosmo Tedone, who worked out a plea bargain on his client's behalf. On May 19, Fossett pleaded guilty to charges of attempted possession of explosives and possession of meth, a felony and a misdemeanor, respectively.

Will County Judge Sarah Jones placed Fossett on court probation for 24 months, and he was ordered to pay fines and court costs of $2,436. The judge announced that Fossett would serve 200 days in the county jail, and Jones gave him credit for already serving 200 days.

Under the plea bargain, the Will County State's Attorney's Office dismissed its two remaining charges against Fossett, attempted unlawful use of a weapon, which was a bomb shell with necessary components to create an explosive device, the criminal complaint noted. Fossett's other charge that was dropped was possession of firearm ammunition without the requisite firearm owner's identification card. The complaint indicated that the Channahon man had .380 caliber ammunition despite not having a valid FOID card in Illinois.

Although his criminal case has drawn to a close at the Will County Courthouse, court records indicate that Fossett now finds himself as the defendant in a house foreclosure brought against him and the village of Channahon by JP Morgan Chase Bank.

Court files indicate that Fossett signed his mortgage on May 28, 2021, as a single man, and the mortgage amount was $151,905.

A mediation hearing was set for Sept. 25 at the Will County Courthouse, however, Fossett was a no-show at his hearing, court files show. Because Fossett did not appear in court, the mediation services have been terminated, and the matter has been sent back to trial court, court documents show.

Earlier this year, while Fossett remained in the jail, his lawyer filed a petition seeking to obtain his client's release under the SAFE-T-Act.

According to Tedone's filing, Fossett has a high school diploma and lived in Channahon for four years. He owned his home and has three children, ages 6, 7 and 16, and pays about $1,000 per month in child support. Fossett worked for INEUS during the past seven years and "makes approximately $150,000 to $200,000 per year. The defendant has a potential opportunity to work with US Steel," Tedone stated in court files.

Tedone also noted that his client had no significant criminal history and that he enrolled in the Bible study, Narcotics Anonymous and anger management classes during his time in the Will County Jail.

Prior to the plea bargain and sentencing, Tedone's efforts to obtain his client's pretrial release were rejected by Judge Jones.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Pipe Bomb Defendant Seeks Jail Release, Will He Return To Channahon?

Pipe Bomb Intended To Blow Up Trick-Or-Treaters: Prosecutors