Burlington County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Destructive Devices

Discovery During Traffic Stop Leads to Federal Guilty Plea

Morristown, NJ — Jeremy Giliberti, a 52-year-old resident of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, has entered a guilty plea for possessing five destructive devices, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced July 23, 2024. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn attention due to the dangerous nature of the devices involved.

The case unfolded on July 26, 2023, when officers from the Hamilton Township Police Division stopped Giliberti's vehicle for a routine traffic check. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a duffle bag containing four pipe bombs on the front passenger-side floor. The devices varied in construction, with two encased in 5-inch steel pipes and two in cardboard tubing secured with duct tape. A subsequent search at Giliberti's residence uncovered a fifth device, similarly designed to cause significant harm with metal pellets, an explosive mixture, and a pyrotechnic fuse.

The charge of possessing destructive devices carries a severe potential penalty, including up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing for Giliberti is scheduled for December 3, 2024, when the full extent of the legal consequences will be determined.

The successful outcome of this case was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, the Hamilton Township Police Division, the New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing threats to public safety and highlights the critical role of interagency cooperation in preventing potential tragedies. For more information on the case, the public is advised to follow updates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton.