By Jim Muir
Norman Dwayne Risley, the 59-year-old Sesser man facing charges that include making bombs, possession of explosive devices and solicitation of a child pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Franklin County Circuit Court.
Norman Dwayne Risley
Risley appeared for an arraignment hearing before Judge Tom Tedeschi where he entered the plea. Risley is being represented by the Benton law firm Drew & Drew.
Risley remains free on $75,000 cash bond which represents 10 percent of the $750,000 bond that was set after Risley was arrested on Dec. 21, 2012 and charged with three felony counts and one misdemeanor that includes one count of unlawful possession of explosives, one count of unlawful use of weapons, one count of indecent solicitation of a child and an additional single count of sexual exploitation of a child.
A Franklin County Grand Jury also returned a true bill of indictment against Risley when it met earlier this month.
Risley was arrested after Sesser police, working on a tip, began investigating allegations that he had solicited the minor child. When law enforcement authorities gained entry through a search warrant to Risley’s residence and uncovered the cache of explosives that included 11 separate explosive devices, explosive compounds and 16 blasting caps. The charges allege that Risley “intended to use the explosive devices to commit a felony.”
The charge of indecent solicitation of a child alleges that Risley approached a child under the age of 17 and “discussed and solicited the child to perform an an act of sexual penetration.”
Along with local law enforcement, state police, ATF agents and other federal authorities also participated in the investigation and arrest.
Risley will next return to court for a pre-trial hearing on May 9.
The site of the births of thousands of Franklin County residents, which later became an eyesore and, some say, a danger to the public will now be a grassy field owned by the city of West Frankfort, at least for a little while.
