Man Arrested Outside Cathedral with Explosives
Authorities in Washington, D.C., apprehended a New Jersey man who allegedly had hundreds of homemade explosives and significant anti-religious sentiments documented in a manifesto. This incident unfolded just hours before a high-profile event known as Red Mass, which was reportedly expected to attract some judges.
Officers found 41-year-old Louis D. Jeri camped out in a green tent across from St. Matthew’s Cathedral around 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The police were securing the area in anticipation of the upcoming event when they approached him, asking him to relocate his tent.
Documents filed in D.C.’s Criminal Court reveal that Jeri suggested to officers that perhaps he should reconsider his position, stating, “maybe I should take a step back and call the Commonwealth. I have an explosive…” During the encounter, he also reportedly inquired about discarding one of the devices on the street, claiming to have “over 100.”
The situation escalated further. When asked to open his tent, officers discovered that Jeri was holding a butane lighter and a suspicious object. He then handed over pages labeled “A Negotiations to Avoid the Destruction of Property by Explosives,” expressing concerns that there could be deaths if action was not taken.
As officers continued to press the issue, Jeri’s demeanor shifted dramatically. When informed they would have to remove him, he ominously remarked, “Some of your citizens will… die of this disease.”
Sergeant Wishnick managed to persuade him to reveal the contents of his tent, leading to the discovery of numerous handmade explosive devices alongside documents indicating his hostility towards various religious groups and the Supreme Court.
Interestingly, the current Supreme Court includes six justices who identify as Catholic and two who are Jewish, within a conservative majority. St. Matthew’s Cathedral, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Washington, has historical significance, dating back to a previous building established in 1840.
Jeri’s criminal record includes past convictions related to indecent acts, which resulted in a prison sentence in Arizona in 2021. Currently, he faces serious charges, including the production and threat of weapons of mass destruction motivated by hate crimes. A judge has ruled him without bail, with a preliminary hearing set for Thursday.
