A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to attempting to carry out a bombing at a Catholic church during a major annual mass honoring law enforcement in Washington, D.C.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Louis Geri of Vineland, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act extortion by wrongful use of force, violence, or fear, as well as possession of an unregistered firearm connected to his attempt to cause an explosion at the Red Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Authorities arrested Geri in October before he could carry out the attack.
Investigators said Geri assembled more than 100 homemade explosive devices and planned to detonate them on the cathedral steps. Police discovered him in a tent outside the church early on Oct. 5, where he refused orders to move and threatened officers, saying “several of your people are going to die from one of these.” He also issued written demands that included large payments, luxury hotel accommodations, a flight to Japan, and other unusual requests.
“Threatening to detonate devices on the steps of a Catholic church, or any religious institution, is a violation not only of our way of life, but of the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion,” said U.S. Attorney Jeannine Pirro.
