(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Keyonna Waddell, 35, of Deer Park, was found guilty after a jury trial of Assault in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, for throwing an explosive device into her boyfriend’s bedroom while he slept resulting in the loss of his hand.
“Domestic violence can escalate to deadly levels, and this case is a sobering reminder of that reality,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our prosecutors and the Suffolk County Police Department, a dangerous individual has been held accountable and will face a lengthy prison sentence for this horrific act.”
The evidence at trial established that on March 22, 2024, the victim and Waddell had an argument inside his apartment, after which the victim left and instructed Waddell to leave. When he returned home, Waddell did not appear to be there, and the victim went to bed. He was awoken by a hissing sound and saw a flame on the floor of his bedroom. Upon getting up, he realized that an object resembling a stick of dynamite had been thrown into his bedroom. He attempted to extinguish the explosive device, which was unsuccessful. He then picked up the device, in an attempt to throw it outside.
Before he could get outside, however, the explosive detonated in his hand. He felt searing pain and realized that his hand was gone. He ran to the end of the driveway and observed Waddell fleeing the scene on foot. He was transported by the police to Nassau University Medical Center where the remainder of his hand and part of his arm was amputated. Waddell was arrested on March 23, 2024, following an investigation, which revealed that Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite several times in the months leading up to the incident.
On April 24, 2026, Waddell was convicted after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony.
Waddell is due back in court for sentencing on May 27, 2026, and faces up to 25 years in prison. She is being represented by Eric Besso, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dana Castaldo of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jacob DeLauter of the Major Crime Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective John Caraccia of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad, with assistance by Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Research Analysts Thomas Kolacki and Brooke Baade.
