A man carried homemade explosives to a church preparing for a Mass attended by Supreme Court justices. He’s finally been sentenced

Louis Geri was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for bringing homemade explosives to a Washington, D.C., church. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, also includes three years of supervised release.  

As reported by KSAT, the incident occurred on October 5, 2025, outside the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. Police officers were clearing the area for the Red Mass when they encountered Geri. He had reportedly set up a tent on the steps of the church that contained more than 100 homemade explosives. 

Along with these devices, authorities discovered a nine-page list of written demands. Geri told police that he had explosive devices and stated, “several of your people are gonna die from one of these” if his demands were not met.

He made multiple demands 

The demands Geri presented included requests for money, an expatriation flight to Japan, and a requirement for the Supreme Court to remove Arizona from the United States. Prosecutors noted that his intent was clear, stating, “The defendant’s intent was clear: If his list of demands was not met, innocent people would die and prominent, historic landmarks, such as the Washington Monument, the Supreme Court, and the White House, would be destroyed.”

Police also reportedly found paperwork in his possession that expressed significant animosity toward the Roman Catholic Church, Jewish people, and the Supreme Court. While some justices typically attend the celebration, none were present at last year’s ceremony. Geri pleaded guilty in March to two felony counts, which included illegal possession of a destructive device and extortion by wrongful use of force, violence, or fear.

During the sentencing, Judge Moss acknowledged the complex nature of the case. He explained that he balanced the danger Geri poses to the public with the defendant’s history of very serious mental health issues and his need for adequate treatment. Judge Moss stated, “This was an extremely serious offense. It may have been carried out in a bizarre manner, but the threat of violence was a serious one.”

The defense provided context regarding Geri’s background. His attorney, Elizabeth Mullin, noted that the Vineland, New Jersey, native had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder more than two decades ago. She argued that he had stopped taking his medication in the months leading up to his arrest after traveling to Washington from Arkansas. Mullin wrote, “His conduct was the product of a treatable medical condition spiraling out of control, not malice or an actual intent to harm.”

Geri and prosecutors had agreed that a prison term ranging from five years and 10 months to seven years and three months would be appropriate. While Judge Moss was not bound by that recommendation, the structure of the agreement allowed Geri to withdraw his guilty plea if the judge had imposed a longer sentence. Geri also declined to address the court before his sentence was finalized.