Madison County IL State's Attorney's Office

06/01/2026

HAINE ANNOUNCES CHARGES AGAINST THREE DEFENDANTS IN HOUSE EXPLOSION THAT RESULTED IN THREE DEATHS

Edwardsville, IL — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that his office has filed charges against three individuals in connection with a house explosion in Troy that resulted in three deaths.

Colton K. Cissell, 22, of Troy, is charged with:

• One count of Unlawful Possession/Storage/Transfer of Explosive Material with Intent to Commit Another Offense (class 1 felony)
• Two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter/Family Member (class 2 felony)
• One count of Involuntary Manslaughter (class 3 felony)
• One count of Child Endangerment (class 3 felony)
• One count of Unlawful Possession/Storage/Transfer of Explosive Material (class 3 felony)

Kenneth R. Cissell, 48, of Troy, is charged with one count of Child Endangerment (class 3 felony).

Roberta D. Cissell, 43, of Troy is charged with one count of Child Endangerment (class 3 felony).

The explosion happened April 5 at the Cissell residence at 8004 W. Kirsch Road in unincorporated Troy. It resulted in the deaths of Ayden R. Hendrickson, 19, of Collinsville; Madeleine I. Cissell, 18, of Troy; and Paisley Nishwitz, 12, of Troy. The victims were inside the house at the time.

“These charges are the result of an extensive investigation and a thorough review by this office. They reflect the seriousness of the incident and the tragic loss of life that resulted,” Haine said. “This case involves allegations of conduct that created an extreme danger to others and ultimately resulted in tragedy. Our office takes those allegations very seriously.”

The most serious of the charges against Colton Cissell is the class 1 felony, Unlawful Possession/Storage/Transfer of Explosive Material with Intent to Commit Another Offense, which has a sentencing range of probation to 30 years in prison.

The charges against Colton Cissell allege that he unlawfully possessed explosive materials, that he performed acts likely to cause death or great bodily harm to others, and that he endangered the life of a child by possessing the explosive materials.

The charges against Kenneth Cissell and Roberta Cissell have a sentencing range of probation to 10 years in prison. The charges against Kenneth Cissell and Roberta Cissell allege that they caused or permitted the life or health of the 12-year-old victim to be endangered by permitting the manufacture of explosive devices in their home.

“This was a devastating event that deeply affected the community,” Haine said. “We have a duty to seek accountability when the facts and the law warrant it.”

Haine commended the police and emergency-responders involved in the investigation and response.

The case was investigated by Madison County Sheriff’s Office, which received assistance at the scene and in the investigation from multiple agencies, including: Secretary of State Bomb Squad, FBI, ATF, Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, Madison County Coroner’s Office, Troy Police Department, Troy Fire Protection District and other fire departments.

U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said: “State and federal authorities began working together the night this tragedy struck, and I commend Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine for his leadership in bringing these charges to ensure accountability. The investigation continues, and neither state nor federal authorities will rest until justice is served for these three young victims.”

Haine’s office has filed a Petition to Deny Pretrial Release in Colton Cissell’s case, arguing that public safety requires detention of the defendant while awaiting trial.

The case is assigned to Assistant State’s Attorney Audrey Paulda.

This charge and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

05/26/2026

We were honored to stand today with Wes Sperino, the victim's son, and Sheriff Jeff Connor to announce first-degree murder charges filed against Albert L. "Buddy" Zigler, 70, of Caseyville in connection with the 1993 killing of Randy Gail Sperino. She was 34. She was bludgeoned to death and her body was dumped in a field in unincorporated Granite City.

05/24/2026

05/22/2026

PRETRIAL RELEASE DENIED FOR MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT, CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Associate Judge John Hackett has granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for a defendant who is charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (class X felony), Criminal Sexual Assault (class 1 felony), two counts of Child Sexual Abuse Material (class X felony) and one count of Child Sexual Abuse Material (class 1 felony). Haine’s office argued public safety required the continued detention of the defendant prior to trial.

Eli L. Winters, D.O.B. 8/21/1999, of Granite City, is charged with committing a s*xual act with a person younger than 18, while holding a position of trust or supervision in relation to the victim, and causing harm to the victim by impregnating her. He also is charged with filming and photographing s*xual acts with the victim. The offenses are alleged to have happened between Dec. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024.

The case was investigated by Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

This charge and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

05/21/2026

PRETRIAL RELEASE DENIED FOR MAN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, INTIMIDATION, ATTEMPTED ARSON, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Associate Judge John Hackett has granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for a defendant who is charged four counts of burglary (class 2 felony), aggravated intimidation (class 2 felony), attempted arson (class 3 felony), two counts of criminal damage to property over $500 (class 4 felony), threatening a public official (class 3 felony) and criminal damage to property under $500 (class A misdemeanor). Haine’s office argued public safety required the continued detention of the defendant prior to trial.

Mark R. Ross, D.O.B. 4/26,1988 of Springfield, Mo., is charged with entering a business and vehicles with intent to commit theft, threatening a sheriff’s deputy, damaging vehicles, threatening to kill an Edwardsville Police officer and damaging flower pots in downtown Edwardsville on April 27.

The case was investigated by Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Edwardsville Police Department.

This charge and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

05/20/2026

PRETRIAL RELEASE DENIED FOR MAN CHARGED WITH WEAPON OFFENSES

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Associate Judge John Hackett has granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for a defendant who is charged with aggravated discharge of firearm (class 1 felony), possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number (class 3 felony), aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon (class 4 felony) and reckless discharge of a firearm (class 4 felony). Haine’s office argued public safety required the continued detention of the defendant prior to trial.

Jacob C. McAfoos, D.O.B. 10/19/2005 of Alton, is charged with firing a gun in the direction of two individuals, possessing a .380-caliber handgun with a serial number that was altered or removed, possessing the handgun unlawfully and discharging the weapon in a reckless manner. The offenses are alleged to have happened on April 27 in Alton.

The case was investigated by Alton Police Department.

This charge and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

05/19/2026

PRETRIAL RELEASE DENIED FOR MAN CHARGED WITH 11 COUNTS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Associate Judge John Hackett has granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for a defendant who is charged with 11 counts of Child Sexual Abuse Material (class 2 felonies). Haine’s office argued public safety required the continued detention of the defendant prior to trial.

Jordan S. King, D.O.B. 9/28/1993 of Roxana, is charged with possessing videos depicting children younger than 13 engaged in s*x acts. The offenses are alleged to have occurred between March 1 and May 7.

The case was investigated by Roxana Police Department.

This charge and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

05/18/2026

PRETRIAL RELEASE DENIED FOR MAN CHARGED WITH INDECENT SOLICITATION OF CHILD, SOLICITATION TO MEET CHILD, GROOMING

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Associate Judge John Hackett has granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for a defendant who is charged with indecent solicitation of a child (class 1 felony), solicitation to meet a child (class 4 felony) and grooming (class 4 felony). Haine’s office argued public safety required the continued detention of the defendant prior to trial.

Brandon R. Nute, D.O.B. 10/9/2002 of Wentzville, Mo., is charged with soliciting a person who he believed to be a 12-year-old to engage in a s*x act, attempting to meet with the person and using an electronic device to lure or entice the person. The offenses are alleged to have happened between March 28 and April 21.

The defendant waived his right to a hearing on the State's Petition to Deny Pretrial Release.

The case was investigated by Edwardsville Police Department.

This charge and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

05/14/2026

HAINE ANNOUNCES MURDER CONVICTION FOR WOMAN WHO SHOT EX-BOYFRIEND THROUGH FENCE; JURY REJECTS 'WARNING SHOT' DEFENSE

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that a jury has found a Granite City woman guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting her ex-boyfriend.

Following a trial that began Tuesday, jurors found Tara A. Anderson, 40, guilty of first-degree murder.

Anderson fatally shot her ex-boyfriend, Phillip Armstrong, 39, of Granite City, on Sept. 24, 2023, outside Anderson’s home in the 1400 block of Madison Avenue.

Evidence and testimony presented by Assistant State’s Attorney Morgan Hudson, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Maricle showed that Armstrong had gone to Anderson’s residence, at her request, to retrieve a vehicle. Anderson exited the residence and confronted Armstrong, who was trying to load the vehicle onto a trailer.

Anderson went back into her home, then came out with a .45-caliber handgun and fired a shot toward Armstrong. The bullet went through a wooden fence and struck Armstrong.

Hudson, in her closing argument, noted that on multiple occasions beforehand, Anderson had told people that she wanted Armstrong dead. Minutes before the shooting, Anderson told a person in her home that she was “going to kill that (expletive),” the prosecutor added.

“These were not idle threats. They were promises,” Hudson told jurors. “She’s a woman of her word.”

Jurors rejected a defense claim that Anderson intended only to fire a “warning shot.” Anderson testified that she fired the shot “to scare him away.”

Hudson argued there was no need to “scare away” Armstrong, who was only on the roadway, removing the vehicle as Anderson had requested.

Haine thanked jurors.

“No one gets to claim ‘warning shot’ after firing directly into an area where they know a person is standing,” Haine said. “The law is absolutely clear: If you shoot at someone and hit them, that is not an accident. That’s murder.”

Haine also commended Granite City Police Department, which led the investigation, and the assisting agencies, including Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services.

“The evidence gathered by them and presented by our prosecution team showed the defendant was angry, armed and looking to inflict harm,” Haine said.

Several members of Armstrong’s family attended the trial.

“We continue to hold Phillip Armstrong’s family in our prayers,” Haine said. “The victim’s family has endured unimaginable pain throughout this process. We hope today’s conviction provides them with a measure of justice.”

Circuit Judge Amy Maher presided at the trial.

Anderson will be sentenced later. First-degree murder is punishable by 20 to 60 years in prison. In addition to finding Anderson guilty of first-degree murder, the jury made a special finding that she personally discharged a firearm during the commission of the offense. The firearm enhancement means a term of 25 years to life will be added to her murder sentence.

The jury deliberated a little more than three hours before returning the verdict Thursday afternoon.

05/11/2026

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