Authorities have arrested a man outside the annual Red Mass ceremony at St. Matthew Cathedral, where he was found with over 200 explosives stored in a tent on the church’s steps.
The suspect, Louis Jeri, 41, was reportedly promoting homemade explosives just as police officers arrived ahead of the new term of office, attended annually by the Supreme Court. Records reviewed by the court revealed these details.
When police approached, they discovered various equipment in his front pocket and backpack, along with the tent he had set up nearby.
A small bottle of nitromethane, a substance often used in explosives, was also located at the scene, according to court documents.
Jeri had a history involving explosives and reportedly told officers that the vial was intended to serve as a grenade, secured with a rubber band for the fuse.
In addition to the nitromethane, authorities found a modified bottle rocket, covered with a Molotov cocktail and aluminum foil, treated with a pyrotechnic solution. Court documents indicated that these devices seemed to be “fully functional.”
When police asked him to leave, Jeri suggested it might be better to contact federal authorities, saying, “He has explosives,” as per the records.
The responding officer called for a bomb squad sergeant and re-engaged with Jeri, who had previously been banned from the area. He reiterated requests for resolution.
At one point, he mentioned to the sergeant, “I’ll try it out on the street, whether they want me to throw it away. I have over 100.” He added, “If you take a step back, I’ll pull the tree out. No one’s going to get hurt. Just a hole will open where the tree was.”
Jeri then warned officers, “Some of your citizens will die of these illnesses,” and eventually handed over a nine-page document expressing his disdain for various groups, including Catholicism, Judaism, the Supreme Court Justices, and the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).
One page from his notebook was notably torn out, titled “Written negotiations to avoid the destruction of property by explosive explosives.”
Afterward, court records indicate that Jeri was handcuffed and detained; a subsequent search revealed more incendiary devices.
The items have been forwarded to the FBI for further examination.
Jeri faces charges including possession of a destructive device and making false reports about weapons of mass destruction. He is currently being held without bail.
