A Jones County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for triggering an explosion that injured both himself and two deputies. 62 year old David Costello of Monticello was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree arson. On November 17th, Monticello Police Department Officer Erik Honda and Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy James Rickels responded to Costello’s residence at about 7:40 p.m. after Costello’s wife reported that her husband threatened to blow up the residence. According to a report, while Officer Honda and Deputy Rickels were attempting to communicate with Costello for a safe surrender, Costello activated an ignition source on a propane torch near an open natural gas supply line. Costello had removed the steel cap on the gas line, allowing the gas to come into the basement of the residence. That triggered an explosion and Rickels and Costello were both injured.
