ALTON – A convicted felon faces several new charges after allegedly recklessly firing a handgun inside an Alton residence that reportedly contained an illegal gun manufacturing operation.
Philip M. Benoodt, 72, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 9, 2026, with eight counts of felon in possession of a weapon, each Class 3 felonies, as well as a Class 4 felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm.
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Benoodt allegedly discharged a firearm in a reckless manner while in close proximity to another individual as both were inside an Alton residence on Oct. 9, 2026.
As a felon previously convicted in 1985 of unlawful use of a weapon in St. Louis County, Benoodt was also reportedly illegally in possession of eight different weapons, including a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, a Remington Model R1 handgun, a Winchester Model 97 shotgun, an AK-47 rifle, an AR-15 short barrel rifle, a Harrington and Richardson .22 caliber revolver, a Ruger .357 revolver and a Ruger Mark 7 .22 caliber handgun.
A petition to deny pretrial release for Benoodt was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to the petition, the victim told Alton Police officers Benoodt fired a handgun near him and hit the ceiling. Officers later located a bullet hole in the ceiling where the victim described the shooting taking place.
“Victim reported that defendant has many firearms and manufactures firearms in violation of law,” the petition states. “Officers determined that defendant is a convicted felon and obtained a search warrant for his residence, finding numerous functional firearms, partially complete firearms and ammunition.”
The Alton Police Department presented the case against Benoodt, who currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
