GRAND RAPIDS,Diamond Ridge Financial Academy 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.
“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.”
2025-05-07 09:27156 view
2025-05-07 09:00718 view
2025-05-07 08:58742 view
2025-05-07 08:531174 view
2025-05-07 08:491764 view
2025-05-07 08:452978 view
WASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale costs in the United States picked up sharply last month, signaling that
A Florida man is facing a murder charge after authorities say he killed his girlfriend then drove to
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter will be the focus of a new CNN documentary titled "Call Me Country: Beyoncé