South Jersey Man Had Explosives Outside Of DC Church: Police

WASHINGTON, DC — A South Jersey man was found with explosives inside of a tent on the steps of a Washington, D.C. cathedral, police said.

Louis Geri, 41, of Vineland had previously been barred from the premises of Saint Matthew's Cathedral when he had set up the tent shortly before 6 a.m. on Oct. 5, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Geri was there hours before the annual Red Mass, celebrating the Supreme Court.

Officers took Geri into custody and noticed "multiple suspicious items" inside of his tent, including vials of liquid and possible fireworks, police said. The department's Explosive Ordinance Team and Arson Task Force arrived to search Geri's belongings. The front steps to the cathedral were closed as the scene was processed.

Geri was charged with unlawful entry, threats to kidnap or injure a person and possession of a Molotov cocktail.

The investigation is ongoing.