NY Woman Gets 18 Years for Throwing Dynamite at Sleeping Boyfriend
A Deer Park domestic violence case ends in justice after a man lost his hand in a terrifying bedroom explosion
A New York woman will spend the next 18 years behind bars after she threw a stick of dynamite into her boyfriend’s bedroom while he slept, blowing off his hand in one of the most shocking domestic violence cases to come out of New York State in recent memory. Keyonna Waddell, 35, of Deer Park, was sentenced on May 27, 2026, by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz, following a jury conviction in April. This explosive domestic violence case is a grim reminder that intimate partner violence can escalate to lethal extremes, and that the justice system, when working properly, can deliver real accountability.
When Domestic Violence Turns Deadly
Most people think of domestic violence as shouting, shoving, or broken dishes. The Keyonna Waddell case shatters that image completely.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, on the night of March 22, 2024, Waddell and her boyfriend had an argument at his apartment. The victim left and told Waddell to leave as well. When he returned home, the apartment appeared empty, so he went to bed.
What happened next was nothing short of terrifying.
The victim woke up to a hissing sound. He looked down and saw what appeared to be a stick of dynamite on the floor of his bedroom, its fuse already burning. He tried to extinguish it. He failed. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he picked it up and tried to throw it out the window.
It exploded in his hand.
The Aftermath: A Hand Gone, A Life Changed
The explosion was devastating. The victim, whose name has not been released, ran outside in shock and saw Waddell fleeing on foot. He was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center, where doctors amputated what remained of his hand and part of his arm.
This was not a random act. Investigators revealed that Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite on multiple occasions in the months before the attack. This was premeditated, calculated domestic violence.
She was arrested the very next day, on March 23, 2024.
The Trial and Conviction
Waddell faced trial before Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz. On April 24, 2026, the jury returned a guilty verdict on two counts:
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Assault in the First Degree (Class B violent felony)
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Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree (Class B violent felony)
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Dana Castaldo of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Jacob DeLauter of the Major Crime Bureau, with support from ADA Carlos Benitez. The investigation was led by Detective John Caraccia of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad.
18 Years: Justice Delivered
On May 27, 2026, Judge Horowitz sentenced Waddell to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney did not mince words:
“This sentence is a measure of justice for a victim who survived an act of unspeakable domestic violence in his own home. Suffolk County will always hold those accountable who act with such calculated violence.”
At the time of conviction, DA Tierney also noted:
“Domestic violence can escalate to deadly levels, and this case is a sobering reminder of that reality.”
Why This Case Matters Beyond Suffolk County
For residents of Upstate New York, including right here in the Mohawk Valley and Utica region, this case carries a powerful message. Domestic violence is not just a downstate problem. According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, domestic violence incidents are reported across every county in New York, from New York City to Oneida County and beyond.
The warning signs were there in the Waddell case. She had threatened her boyfriend with dynamite more than once before the attack. Those red flags were documented by investigators after the fact.
Advocates consistently point out that when victims report threats, they must be taken seriously. Resources like the New York State Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-942-6906) exist specifically for those situations.
This case also illustrates that domestic violence is not limited by gender. Men are victims too, and their stories deserve equal attention and equal justice.
The Escalation Pattern Experts Warn About
Domestic violence rarely begins with a bomb. It typically escalates over time, moving from emotional abuse to physical harm. The Waddell case is an extreme example of what experts call the “escalation cycle.”
Key warning signs that a situation may be escalating to dangerous levels include:
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Verbal threats involving weapons
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Threats tied to specific scenarios (like threatening someone while they sleep)
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Access to dangerous materials
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Isolation of the victim
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History of controlling behavior
Prosecutors noted that Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite multiple times before she acted on those threats. That pattern of escalation is precisely what domestic violence advocates warn about.
A System That Worked
It is worth noting that in this case, the system worked. Investigators did their jobs. Prosecutors built a strong case. A jury convicted. A judge handed down a meaningful sentence.
That is not always the outcome for domestic violence victims. Nationally, cases are often dismissed, plead down, or result in minimal sentences. The 18-year sentence handed to Waddell sends a clear signal that courts in New York State are willing to treat domestic violence with the seriousness it deserves when the evidence is there.
Waddell’s attorney, Eric Besso, Esq., represented her throughout the proceedings.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Help
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, including right here in the Mohawk Valley. If you or someone you know is in danger, do not wait.
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NYS Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
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National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
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Text “START” to 88788
You are not alone. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
