Concerns Over Ohio Man Near Potential Target After Plot Conviction

An Ohio man, Tres Genco, convicted of plotting a mass shooting at a sorority, now resides close to a potential target, Ohio State University (OSU). The Justice Department seeks to have him evicted from his Columbus home due to safety concerns.

Genco, who identifies as an “incel,” came to the public’s attention when he was arrested in 2021. He pleaded guilty to attempting to commit a hate crime, receiving a six-year prison sentence and five years of supervised probation.

The Justice Department has filed a motion for additional conditions on Genco’s supervised release. These include living more than two miles from any Ohio university or college and obtaining pre-approval for his residence from the probation office. He is also to be banned from university grounds without prior approval and will have computer monitoring software installed on his devices.

Genco, who had written a document titled “A Hideous Symphony,” allegedly plotted to attack women out of hatred and revenge. His arsenal included a bulletproof vest, a skull mask, and weaponry. He was arrested before he could act on his threats, largely due to his mother reporting his behavior.

Meanwhile, OSU has expressed support for the Justice Department’s motion, citing student safety as a top priority.

The proposed restrictions also include prohibiting Genco from contacting Thomas Develin, a former cellmate. Develin, serving time for making untraceable weapons and threatening a Jewish school, reportedly received support from Genco to renounce antisemitism through shared family history.

Genco resists the proposed restrictions, arguing they would destabilize him physically and financially. His lawyers criticize the government’s timing, suggesting these conditions could have been set prior to his release. They also claim that the restrictions may stigmatize Genco more than legal mandates placed on registered sex offenders, despite his efforts toward rehabilitation.

Previously, Genco stayed in a halfway house, maintaining employment without violations. The court has not yet ruled on the Justice Department’s motion.