GRANT, Mich. — Luke Isaac Terpstra, a 30-year-old in Grant, was arraigned on Jan. 4 .for building homemade explosive devices, then trying to get rid of them, according to Grant Police.
Court documents show that the Kent County Sheriff's Office received a tip on Jan. 2 from Terpstra's mother that explosives had possibly been thrown away in the garbage receptacle at her son's address in Grant.
Terpstra's mother told a Kent County deputy her son was being evicted from his home when the explosives were discovered. His step-father came over to his home to help him pack when Terpstra commented that "he needed to disarm and dispose of some explosives that he had."
Terpstra's step-father saw the explosives in a box and photographed them before he tried to throw the evidence away.
Documents show he was asked by his step-father about the explosives. Terpstra then revealed that he was thinking about using them on a Satanic temple in Massachusetts, saying he had already drove there to scope out the location.
Terpstra allegedly told his step-father he was targeting the temple because "there are pedophiles there and they're bad people."
Michigan State Police used robots to search through garbage cans, and found what the bomb squad referred to as improvised explosives with the intent to harm people. They say some the devices were wrapped in shrapnel. One of the jars even had ammunition wrapped around it in tape so that when it exploded, rifle rounds would go through the air.
Terpstra's mother told police her son has been experiencing "mental issues," according to court docs.
Terpstra is currently being evaluated at a hospital.
The Grant Police Department said the investigation has been shared with the FBI, who are now assisting Grant Police.
Terpstra's bond has been set at $1 million.
Newaygo County Prosecuting Attorney says a probable cause conference is set for Jan. 18., with a preliminary examination set for Jan 25. Both are scheduled to be at the 78th District Court in White Cloud.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.