NJ Man Admits Threatening To Detonate 100 Bombs At Church In Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Vineland man admitted to threatening to detonate more than 100 homemade explosive devices at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C., in October 2025, where the Red Mass was set to be celebrated for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Louis Geri, 41, of Vineland, pleaded guilty to a count of Hobbs Act extortion by wrongful use of force, violence, or fear, and to a count of possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device).

Sentencing is scheduled for July 27.

On the night of Oct. 4, Geri rode his motorcycle to St. Matthew's Cathedral at 1725 Rhode Island Ave. in Washington, D.C.

He erected a tent on the church's front steps and assembled more than 100 explosive devices. These devices were made from materials purchased in Arkansas and assembled in Virginia, including nitromethane, magnesium, charcoal, and thermite.

Geri also had a nine-page list of written demands.

The Red Mass, an annual religious ceremony, was scheduled for the following morning. Members of the Supreme Court, Cabinet, Congress, and the diplomatic corps typically attend this high-profile event.

Around 5 a.m. on Oct. 5, 2025, Metropolitan Police Department officers approached Geri's tent. When officers asked him to move, Geri refused and threatened to throw an explosive device into the street.

He told officers that "several of your people are gonna die from one of these" if federal agents did not negotiate his demands, according to authorities.

His written demands included hundreds or thousands of dollars to himself and others, extended accommodations at the Mayflower Hotel, an expatriation flight, and requests for the Supreme Court to remove Arizona from the United States and declare it a "foreign enemy."

Law enforcement set up a barricade around the tent. They arrested Geri about 5:53 a.m. when he briefly emerged.

Officers found one explosive device in his pocket along with a butane lighter. A search of the tent found more than 100 additional devices.

An FBI laboratory confirmed the devices were improvised explosive devices in operable condition.

After his arrest, Geri waived his Miranda rights and described the devices as "grenades" and "rockets."

He admitted his intent to use the threat of force to coerce negotiations and to harm people and property, including St. Matthew's Cathedral, the White House, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, and the Supreme Court.