Central Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Arson of Clinic

In a stunning and disturbing case, a 73-year-old man from Prophetstown, Illinois, pleaded guilty to attempting to use fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce. Philip J. Buyno admitted to bringing containers filled with gasoline to a commercial building in Danville, Illinois, with the intention of burning it down before it could be used as a reproductive health clinic. Buyno was apprehended by police after he backed his car into the building’s entrance, and a subsequent search of his vehicle revealed additional incendiary materials. Scheduled for sentencing in early 2024, Buyno faces a minimum of five years up to twenty years in prison, along with fines and restitution for the damage caused to the building. This egregious act of domestic terrorism serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by reproductive health clinics and the urgent need for continued vigilance in maintaining public safety.

Curious about your city’s darkest crime stories? Dive in here!

Title

Central Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Arson of Clinic

Background Information

Introduction

In a disturbing incident, a Central Illinois man has recently pleaded guilty to the attempted arson of a clinic. The man, Philip J. Buyno, 73, from Prophetstown, Illinois, admitted to attempting to use fire to damage a building that was being used for interstate commerce. This incident raises concerns about domestic terrorism and the safety of reproductive health clinics.

Incident Details

On May 20, 2023, Buyno brought several containers filled with gasoline and used his car to breach the front entrance of a commercial building at 600 N. Logan Avenue in Danville, Illinois. The building was under renovation and was intended to be used as a reproductive health clinic. The purpose of the arson attempt was to prevent the building from being used for its intended purpose.

Arrest and Custody

Danville police officers responded to an alarm at 600 N. Logan Avenue around 4:30 a.m. on the day of the incident. When they arrived, they found Buyno stuck inside his car, a maroon Volkswagen Passat, which he had backed into the entrance of the building. During a search of the vehicle, FBI Agents discovered bottles containing gasoline, a hatchet, road flares, multiple old tires, and a pack of matches. Buyno was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and has been held since May 2023.

Court Proceedings

Guilty Plea

On September 19, 2023, Buyno pleaded guilty to the charges of attempting to use fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce. By entering a plea of guilty, Buyno acknowledges his involvement in the arson attempt and accepts responsibility for his actions.

Sentencing Date and Location

Buyno’s sentencing has been scheduled for February 5, 2024, at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Urbana, Illinois. During the sentencing hearing, the court will consider the circumstances of the incident, Buyno’s criminal history, and any mitigating factors presented by the defense. The court will then determine an appropriate sentence based on these factors and the relevant federal sentencing guidelines.

Incident Description

Purpose of the Arson Attempt

The purpose of Buyno’s arson attempt was to prevent a commercial building from being used as a reproductive health clinic. The incident raises concerns about the impact of domestic terrorism and the safety of reproductive health clinics, which provide essential healthcare services to individuals in need.

Methods Used

Buyno used his car to breach the front entrance of the building, which was undergoing renovation. He brought several containers filled with gasoline and intended to set the building on fire. The discovery of the suspect and the activation of an alarm at the scene prevented the incident from escalating further.

Police Response

Alarm Activation

The incident was responded to promptly by the Danville Police Department, who received an alarm activation at 600 N. Logan Avenue. The activation of the alarm enabled law enforcement to respond quickly to the scene and prevented the incident from causing significant damage or harm.

Discovery of the Suspect

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Buyno trapped inside his car, a maroon Volkswagen Passat, which he had used to breach the entrance of the building. The quick response from law enforcement ensured the suspect was apprehended without further incident and prevented any potential harm to others in the area.

Search of the Vehicle

During a search of Buyno’s vehicle, FBI Agents discovered evidence of his intent to commit arson. The search revealed bottles filled with gasoline, a hatchet, road flares, multiple old tires, and a pack of matches. Additionally, the trunk of the vehicle had been fortified with 4×4 wooden beams, indicating Buyno’s premeditated and dangerous intentions.

Legal Consequences

Potential Penalties

Buyno faces serious legal consequences for his attempted arson. If convicted, he may face a minimum of five years up to twenty years in prison. In addition, he may be required to pay a fine of up to $250,000. These penalties reflect the seriousness of the offense and the potential harm that could have been caused had the incident not been thwarted.

Supervised Release and Restitution

In addition to the prison sentence and fine, if convicted, Buyno may be subjected to three years of supervised release following his time in prison. Supervised release ensures that individuals who have committed crimes are closely monitored upon their release and abide by certain conditions to prevent further criminal behavior. Buyno may also be ordered to pay restitution for the damage caused to the building.

Investigation Details

Agencies Involved

The investigation into the attempted arson involved several agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Danville Police Department. These agencies worked together to gather evidence, apprehend the suspect, and build a strong case for prosecution.

Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney

Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller is representing the government in the prosecution of Buyno. Miller is responsible for overseeing the case, presenting evidence and arguments, and advocating for an appropriate punishment that reflects the seriousness of the offense.

Related Content

Previous Domestic Terrorism Case

This incident highlights the ongoing concern of domestic terrorism in the United States. It serves as a reminder of a previous case involving a former Ford County resident who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for charges related to domestic terrorism. These cases illustrate the need for continued vigilance and efforts to prevent such acts of violence.

Delve deep into your city’s gritty crime tales; click now!

Contact Information

USAO-CDIL Offices

For more information regarding the case or to reach out for further details, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. Contact information for each office is as follows:

• Springfield (HQ): (217) 492-4450
• Peoria: (309) 671-7050
• Rock Island: (309) 793-5884
• Urbana: (217) 373-5875

Stay Connected

Stay connected with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois for updates on this case and other important information. Follow their social media accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed on the latest news and developments.

Archives

Budget & Performance

For information on the budget and performance of the U.S. Department of Justice, visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

FOIA

For information on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and how to make a request, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Accessibility

The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to providing accessible content. For information on accessibility and to access any necessary accommodations, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Legal Policies & Disclaimers

For legal policies and disclaimers related to the U.S. Department of Justice and its operations, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Privacy Policy

To review the privacy policy of the U.S. Department of Justice, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Information Quality

The U.S. Department of Justice ensures the quality and accuracy of information provided on its website. If you have any concerns or questions about the information presented, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Office of the Inspector General

For information on the Office of the Inspector General and its responsibilities, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

No FEAR Act Data

For information on the No FEAR Act and data related to the U.S. Department of Justice, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Small Business

For information on resources available to small businesses, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Vote.gov

For information on voting and how to register, please visit the archives section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Español

Información en español sobre los servicios y recursos disponibles en el Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos está disponible en el sitio web del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos.

Eager to uncover your city’s sinister side? Explore the latest crime news here!

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/central-illinois-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-arson-clinic