Monticello man charged with arson after basement explosion injuring deputy

The Gazette

Dec. 2, 2021 8:52 am, Updated: Jul. 18, 2022 5:02 pm

David J. Costello (Jones County Jail booking photo taken Nov. 30, 2021)

UPDATE: David Costello pleaded down to second-degree arson

In early July 2022, David Costello pleaded down to second-degree arson, a Class C felony. He was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, less time already served in jail. Costello’s prison time could be reduced by up to 50% for good conduct, work credits and program credits and may be eligible for parole. A charge of interference with official acts, inflicting bodily injury, was dismissed.

MONTICELLO — A Monticello man faces a first-degree arson charge, accused of causing an explosion in his home’s basement that injured a Jones County deputy last month.

David J. Costello, 62, had threatened to set off a bomb at his home Nov. 17 when Monticello police and a deputy were called to his home at 606 N. Sycamore St.

As officers attempted to talk with Costello, he ignited a propane torch near a natural gas line he had opened. The officer and deputy were “consumed in a flash fire” from the resulting explosion, according to a criminal complaint.

The Monticello Fire Department put out a fire of nearby combustible materials, the complaint stated.

The deputy was treated for minor injuries, and Costello was taken to a hospital for a medical and psychological evaluation.

Costello, who was arrested Tuesday, is being held on $25,000 cash-only bond on the arson charge, which is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.