Philip J. Buyno, 73, formerly of Prophetstown, was arrested and charged on a federal criminal complaint with attempting to use fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce in Danville, Il. on Saturday, May 20th according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of Illinois.
According to the release, Danville police officers arrested Buyno after responding to an alarm at 600 N. Logan Avenue in Danville around 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning. They found Buyno stuck inside a maroon Volkswagen Passat that he had backed into the entrance of the building, which is being renovated for use as a reproductive health clinic. According to the affidavit, Buyno brought several containers filled with gasoline with him.
Buyno lived in Prophetstown for several years and could often be seen on the town’s main street offering to speak to people about religion. His wife, Sallie Buyno, passed away August 24, 2022 and a few months later Buyno moved out of town.
Buyno was arrested in Peoria in 2019 with trespassing at a Planned Parenthood facility in Peoria, Il.
If convicted of attempted arson, Buyno faces a minimum penalty of five years up to twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release.
Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
