Robert Brown:Michigan man accused of making explosives to target Satanic Temple in Massachusetts

2025-05-04 18:42:25source:Darden Clarkecategory:News

GRAND RAPIDS,Robert Brown Mich. (AP) — A Michigan man carrying explosives traveled to Massachusetts in 2023 and later said he wanted to blow up a building in Salem known as the Satanic Temple, according to a federal indictment.

Luke Terpstra was charged in western Michigan with two felonies: transportation of an explosive and possession of an unregistered explosive.

“Building explosive devices and transporting them with the intent to injure civilians and damage property puts us all at risk,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said Wednesday.

The indictment was filed Tuesday. Terpstra, 30, of Grant, Michigan, is being held in the Newaygo County jail on related state charges. He faces a hearing in federal court next Monday.

The court file doesn’t list an attorney yet who could speak for Terpstra.

The Satanic Temple in Salem says it doesn’t believe in Satan but describes itself as a “non-theistic religious organization” that supports secularism. There is an art gallery at the site.

Terpstra had an explosive device, multiple firearms and ammunition when he traveled to Salem in September, the indictment says. The indictment doesn’t mention an alleged motive. No violent acts occurred.

READ MORE Lawyers’ coalition provides new messengers for Black voter engagementHaley won 1 in 5 Indiana Republican voters in the presidential primary. She left the race in MarchIn the NIL landscape, schools are turning to companies to train and manage in-house general managers

“It is terrifying that he walked in our midst planning such violence,” Salem officials said in January when local authorities in Michigan filed the initial charges.

In April, a man from Oklahoma threw a pipe bomb at the main entrance of the Satanic Temple, causing a minor fire and other damage, according to federal authorities. A handwritten note found nearby referred to a fight against “crybaby Satan.”

More:News

Recommend

US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale costs in the United States picked up sharply last month, signaling that

Travis Kelce Reveals His Game Plan for Building Trust in a Relationship

When it comes to dating, you won't find Travis Kelce rushing.In fact, the NFL star—who has recently

Amazon plans to hire 250,000 workers for holiday season. Target says it will add nearly 100,000

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon said on Tuesday that it will hire 250,000 full- and part-time workers for the