A woman from New York could be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison after she was found guilty of throwing a stick of dynamite at her boyfriend while he was asleep. Keyonna Waddell, 35, was convicted of assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree after a jury trial, as confirmed by Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.
The incident took place on March 22, 2024, in Suffolk County, New York, following an argument between Waddell and her boyfriend in his apartment. After the argument, the boyfriend asked Waddell to leave. When he returned home later, he discovered a stick of dynamite in his bedroom, which exploded in his hand as he tried to remove it, causing severe injuries.
Waddell was arrested the next day after an investigation revealed that she had threatened the victim with dynamite multiple times before the attack. District Attorney Tierney emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence and praised the efforts of law enforcement in holding Waddell accountable for her actions.
Following a jury trial overseen by Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz on April 24, 2026, Waddell was found guilty of assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree, both classified as Class B violent felonies. She is scheduled for sentencing on May 27, 2026, where she could face up to 25 years in prison. Attorney Eric Besso is representing Waddell in the case.
The prosecution is being led by Assistant District Attorney Dana Castaldo and Assistant District Attorney Jacob DeLauter, with Detective John Caraccia from the Suffolk County Police Department’s first squad leading the investigation, supported by research analysts Thomas Kolacki and Brooke Baade from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.