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New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Bringing Explosives to D.C. Cathedral Before Supreme Court Mass
A New Jersey resident has pleaded guilty to federal charges after bringing dozens of homemade explosive devices to a prominent Washington, D.C., cathedral last October, just before an annual Mass traditionally attended by Supreme Court justices.
Louis Geri of Vineland entered guilty pleas Thursday to two felony counts: illegal possession of a destructive device and extortion by wrongful use of force, violence or fear. The charges stem from an incident that prompted evacuations and a significant security response near St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
According to court documents, Geri established a makeshift camp on the cathedral steps the night before the annual Red Mass, a traditional service marking the beginning of the Supreme Court term. When authorities discovered him on October 5, they found more than 100 explosive devices inside his tent, alongside a nine-page document outlining various demands.
“The defendant intended to use the threat of death or significant property damage from these explosive devices to coerce negotiations regarding his demands from the Federal Government, St. Matthew’s Church, the Supreme Court of the United States, and other groups and entities,” prosecutors stated in court filings accompanying the plea.
During his confrontation with law enforcement, Geri explicitly threatened violence, telling police officers that “several of your people are gonna die from one of these” if officials failed to meet his demands. These demands included requests for money, an “expatriation flight” to Japan, and a bizarre requirement that the Supreme Court remove the state of Arizona from the United States.
Law enforcement officials also discovered documents in Geri’s possession expressing what they described as “significant animosity” toward several groups, including the Roman Catholic Church, Jewish people, the Supreme Court, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Red Mass, which has been held annually since 1953 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, traditionally attracts Supreme Court justices, lawmakers, and other government officials. Following the security threat, the area was cleared before the ceremony, and no justices attended last year’s service, breaking with the long-standing tradition.
The case was initially filed in D.C. Superior Court but was later transferred to the federal system due to the serious nature of the threats and the potential impact on national institutions. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss will oversee sentencing on July 27.
As part of the plea agreement, both prosecutors and defense attorneys have recommended a prison sentence ranging from five years and ten months to seven years and three months. While Judge Moss is not bound by this recommendation, Geri retains the right to withdraw his guilty plea if the court imposes a sentence exceeding the agreed-upon range.
The incident highlights ongoing security concerns at high-profile locations in the nation’s capital, particularly those associated with government institutions and religious organizations. It also underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing threats to public gatherings and events attended by government officials.
Geri remains in custody pending sentencing, and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the case.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of increased security measures around government facilities and officials in Washington following several years of heightened political tensions and threats targeting public figures. Federal authorities have prioritized prosecuting cases involving threats to government institutions and officials, particularly those involving explosive devices or weapons.
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8 Comments
Targeting a church with explosives is an appalling act of extremism. I hope the authorities get to the bottom of this individual’s motivations and any potential connections. Houses of worship should be safe havens, not sites of terror.
Bringing explosives to a cathedral on the eve of the Supreme Court term is extremely disturbing. I’m glad the suspect pleaded guilty and will face consequences for this reckless and dangerous act. Security around important events like this needs to remain vigilant.
While I’m glad the suspect was apprehended before any harm was done, this incident highlights the continued threats facing our judicial institutions and democratic processes. We must remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect critical infrastructure.
Absolutely, security around important government and judicial buildings needs to be rock solid. No room for complacency when it comes to potential extremist threats.
This is a very concerning and serious incident. While we should respect the right to protest, bringing explosives to a place of worship crosses a line and cannot be tolerated. I hope the authorities continue to investigate this thoroughly to ensure public safety.
Bringing explosives to a religious site is a shocking and reprehensible act. I’m glad the authorities were able to apprehend the suspect and prevent any loss of life or property damage. This serves as an important reminder of the ongoing security challenges we face.
This raises serious concerns about the security vulnerabilities around major events and government institutions. I hope the authorities conduct a thorough investigation to uncover any wider plot or network behind this individual’s actions.
You’re right, this should be treated as a potential larger threat rather than an isolated incident. Maintaining robust security protocols is crucial to safeguarding our democratic norms and processes.