GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- U.S. Attorney Mark Totten in Grand Rapids says his office is charging a 30-year-old Grant man with transporting an explosive with the intent to kill, injure, or intimidate people. Or, unlawfully damage or destroy a building.
Prosecutors said Luke Isaac Terpstra is accused in a federal indictment of making Improvised Explosive Devices, and taking them to Salem, Massachusetts, where he supposedly intended to blow up a Satanic temple. Prosecutor say Terpstra also took multiple firearms and ammunition to the Satanic Temple last September.
Here is more from a U.S. Attorney's Office news release:
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Luke Isaac Terpstra, a 30-year-old resident of Grant, Michigan, has been charged with transporting an explosive with the intent to kill, injure, or intimidate individuals or to unlawfully damage or destroy a building. Terpstra also faces a separate charge that he illegally possessed a destructive device. The indictment charges that Terpstra built several devices that he characterized as “bombs” and then transported those devices, along with multiple firearms and ammunition, from Michigan to the site of The Satanic Temple (TST) in Massachusetts in September 2023.
“The charges announced today demonstrate my office’s continued commitment to protecting our citizens from dangerous threats,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Building explosive devices and transporting them with the intent to injure civilians and damage property puts us all at risk and those who commit such crimes will be held accountable.”
The indictment further alleges that, in December 2023, Terpstra stated to others that he possessed the “bombs” because he wanted to “blow up” TST. As recently as January 2024, Terpstra was found in possession of items that can be used to make improvised explosive devices, including a plastic container with coins attached to it and a piece of cannon fuse coming out of the lid; numerous metal carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridges; PVC pipe; ammonium nitrate; and hobby fuses.
If convicted, Terpstra faces a maximum 10-year term in prison on each charge and a fine of up to $250,000. He will also be required to pay restitution to any victims of his alleged crimes.
“Today's indictment is a sobering reminder of the threats we face as a society and a true testament to the FBI's mission of protecting the American people,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “We stand united with our partners to combat all forms of violence and will take all necessary measures to ensure the public's safety.”
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Grant Police Department, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and Michigan State Police are investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Carowan with the assistance of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
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