Belleville News-Democrat week in review
Bomb squad to detonate devices after fatal Troy fire
The Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad is set to carry out controlled detonations of several devices southeast of Troy as part of an ongoing investigation into a deadly explosion and fire, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office says. The detonations are scheduled at two separate locations throughout the day, with numerous emergency vehicles expected on scene. Three people were killed in the blast, which occurred late April 5 in the 8000 block of West Kirsch Road, just west of O’Fallon-Troy Road. One additional person suffered significant burn injuries and was transported to a St. Louis-area hospital. The names of the victims have not been released. When first responders arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames, according to the Troy Fire Department. Investigators from the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved. The cause of the blast has not been announced.
Reported by Belleville News-Democrat, published April 7
Metro-East SWAT standoff ends with suspect in custody
A suspect is in custody following a April 2 standoff involving Metro-East SWAT and Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives in Fosterburg. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office issued a public safety alert at 9:56 a.m., stating the subject was armed and inside a home in the 500 block of Fosterburg Road. Authorities say the armed subject was involved in a domestic-related incident, made threats, and was alone inside the residence with a firearm. By approximately 12:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office confirmed via Facebook that the suspect had been taken into custody. The name of the person arrested has not been released. A portion of Fosterburg Road was shut down during the incident and was expected to reopen shortly after its resolution.
Reported by Madison Lammert, published April 2
Edwardsville High School employee faces felony charges
A 29-year-old man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly sending sexually explicit messages to a 16-year-old student while employed at Edwardsville High School, authorities say. James L. Williams Jr. was charged Thursday in Madison County Circuit Court with one count of indecent solicitation of a child, a Class 2 felony, and two Class 4 felonies: solicitation to meet a child and grooming. Court documents allege Williams used Microsoft Teams to contact the student and planned to meet her at her home during spring break for an “unlawful purpose.” He was suspended without pay before charges were filed, though the district later indicated he was suspended with pay pending the outcome of the matter. Williams allegedly admitted to investigators that he had inappropriate conversations with the student and planned to meet her, according to court records. No defense attorney was listed as of Thursday.
Reported by Madison Lammert, published April 2
Fairview Heights man gets 28 years for Arch assault
A federal judge sentenced Monte Derrell Boatman, 37, of Fairview Heights to 28 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a woman in Gateway Arch National Park in December 2023. U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark ordered the sentence to run consecutively to an 84-month term Boatman is already serving for violating supervised release in a 2009 armed robbery case. Authorities say Boatman followed the victim near Fourth Street and Washington Avenue before grabbing her from behind and forcing her into bushes with a razor held to her neck, repeatedly threatening to kill her. National Park Service rangers arrested him two days later after a struggle in which one ranger required medical treatment, authorities say. Boatman pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of aggravated sexual abuse. The case was investigated by the National Park Service and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, with FBI assistance.
Reported by Belleville News-Democrat, published April 3
Sparta man sentenced in fatal e-bike hit-and-run
Rufus L. Monroe, 43, of Sparta was sentenced to three years in prison April 2 after pleading guilty to reckless homicide and failure to report a crash involving the death of Christopher “Chris” Barnes, 32, of the New Athens area. Barnes was struck while riding his e-bike home from a fast-food job in Sparta on Aug. 11, 2024, and was pronounced dead the following morning. Barnes’ mother, Abby Allen, said she was “happy” Monroe received prison time and urged drivers to avoid cellphone use. Allen revealed she learned the day before sentencing that her son remained alive for approximately 55 minutes after being struck and left in a ditch. “He was left alone in the dark to die,” she said. “It haunts you.” Allen also lost her husband, Joseph Dunn, in a separate fatal roadway incident in 2021. Monroe was remanded to the Randolph County Jail following sentencing by Circuit Judge Jeremy Walker.
Reported by Mike Koziatek, published April 3
Scott AFB drives $12.9B impact in metro-east region
A new study commissioned by the Leadership Council of Southwest Illinois finds that Scott Air Force Base contributes $12.9 billion annually to the regional economy. The base employs nearly 9,000 people full time, with direct impacts totaling $8.8 billion, including payroll, housing allowances, and construction investments. Indirect impacts add $536 million, while employee spending in the community contributes $3.5 billion. Prepared by St. Louis-based Steadfast City, the study updates figures last calculated in 2010 at $3.2 billion. Regional leaders say the data will support advocacy efforts and help guard against potential base closures. However, the study also notes downsides, including lost property tax revenue for nearby school districts, which received $20.1 million in federal impact aid in fiscal 2024.
Reported by Will Bauer, published April 3
This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Belleville News-Democrat week in review."