Man Who Targeted Supreme Court Justices With Explosives Arraigned In DC Court

WASHINGTON—The man who was apprehended with more than 100 explosive devices outside a Washington, D.C., church holding a service historically attended by Supreme Court justices had previously written statements that specifically referenced the service.

The “Red Mass” is an annual event held each year by the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, wherein the parish prays for the High Court at the beginning of a new term.

Louis Geri appeared in D.C. Superior Court for a preliminary hearing Thursday after he was arrested Sunday outside the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during the “Red Mass”, an annual service herein the parish prays for the High Court at the beginning of a new term. Last year’s Red Mass was attended by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, along with 1,000 others.

Geri allegedly handed police a nine-page manifesto detailing grievances against the Supreme Court, ICE, Catholics, and Jews.

A woman who appeared to have some sort of relationship with Geri watched the proceedings from the gallery. Geri nodded his head in her direction upon entering the courtroom and, upon his exit, she spoke with his attorney about returning for subsequent proceedings later this month.

When weighing the evidence presented today, Judge Heidi Herrman considered footage showing Geri setting up a green tent on the steps of the church the night before the Mass.

In response to defense counsel’s argument that Geri’s actions were limited to simple possession of explosives, Judge Herman referenced the previous night’s footage, stating, “This shows a plan, beyond mere possession.”

Judge Herman also noted Geri’s written statements referenced wanting to take down targets such as the White House and Washington Monument.

The FBI’s preliminary testing has confirmed Geri’s weapons fit their definition of destructive devices.

Geri described his explosives to officers “as rockets capable of taking out helicopters” and consisting of “nitromethane among other explosive chemicals.” He further described them as “a proprietary formula.”

Geri allegedly gathered materials for his explosives in Arkansas before driving up to D.C.

“It appears that was part of the idea — to endanger that number of people at a high-visibility event,” Judge Herrman said. Referring to Geri’s continued confinement, she added, “There are no conditions which I could set that would reasonably guarantee the safety of the community.”

Due to security concerns, the sitting Supreme Court justices did not attend this year’s “Red Mass.”

Sunday’s threat is the latest example of the disturbing upward trend in political violence.

In 2022, Nicholas Roske attempted to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Just last Friday, Roske was sentenced to eight years in prison. Federal guidelines call for a 30-year minimum. Judge Deborah Boardman, appointed by Joe Biden to the Maryland federal court, noticed the “whopping 22-year difference.”

Luke Rosiak contributed to this report.