Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey man who camped out on the steps of a landmark D.C. cathedral with more than 100 homemade explosive devices has now admitted to it in court.
Louis Geri, 41, of Vineland, New Jersey, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court after carrying what authorities describe as a cache of improvised explosive devices to the front steps of St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as the church prepared for its annual Red Mass. According to court documents, Geri spent the night in a tent on the cathedral’s steps with the devices and a nine-page list of demands. He remains jailed ahead of a July 27 sentencing date.
Geri pleaded guilty to two felony counts: illegal possession of a destructive device and extortion by wrongful use of force. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 27 by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss. Prosecutors and defense attorneys jointly recommended a prison term of about five years, 10 months to seven years, three months, though the judge is not bound by that range and Geri could withdraw his plea if the court imposes a longer sentence, as reported by ClickOrlando.
What the court filing lays out
In its statement of offense, the government outlines prosecutors' account that Geri purchased materials out of state, manufactured more than 100 improvised explosive devices, and transported them to St. Matthew’s to press his demands. An FBI lab tested a representative sample and found nitromethane and other components consistent with improvised explosive devices. The filing says Geri's list of demands included requests for large cash payments, extended hotel stays, and an "expatriation flight to Japan," among other items. Those details appear in the government's filing, according to Courtlistener.
How police say the arrest unfolded
Metropolitan Police officers encountered Geri in a green tent on the top steps of the cathedral early on Oct. 5 as they were clearing the block for the Red Mass, according to court records. Authorities say he refused orders to move and warned officers that he had explosives. He reportedly told officers, "You might want to stay back and call the federales," and later threatened that "several of your people are gonna die from one of these," details reported by The Washington Post and included in court documents.
Charges, penalties and next steps
The plea papers say Geri intended to use the threat of death or significant property damage to coerce negotiations, conduct charged under the Hobbs Act extortion provision and federal law governing unregistered destructive devices. The government's filing lists maximum penalties of up to 20 years on the extortion count and up to 10 years on the destructive device count, along with possible fines and supervised release, and notes that Geri waived certain evidentiary protections should he withdraw his plea, according to Courtlistener.
Sentencing is set for July 27 before Judge Moss, and that hearing will determine whether the recommended term stands or whether the court imposes a different punishment. The episode prompted heightened security at the cathedral last fall and remains part of local coverage about Red Mass security and courthouse safety, ClickOrlando reported.
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