LEE COUNTY, Fla. – A North Fort Myers man with a history of international conspiracy and weaponizing toxins admitted in federal court today that he was carrying a pipe bomb and unregistered silencers during a domestic disturbance last year.
United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced that Jesse William Korff, 31, pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment. The charges range from possession of firearms as a convicted felon to the attempted malicious use of an explosive.
The case stems from a chaotic scene on May 19, 2025. According to court records, the Fort Myers Police Department responded to a 911 hang-up call at a local residence. When officers arrived, they walked into a reported hostage situation and found Korff in a physical struggle with a female.
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During the scuffle, police say a firearm and a silencer fell loose. However, the situation escalated when officers detained Korff and noticed a destructive device protruding from his pocket.
The discovery prompted an immediate response from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, which deployed a robot to safely remove the pipe bomb from Korff’s person. Forensic testing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives later revealed a chilling detail: the device showed evidence that Korff had attempted to detonate it during the altercation.
A subsequent search of Korff’s vehicle and home uncovered an arsenal of additional contraband, including another silencer, more ammunition, and various bomb-making materials.
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Korff is already known to federal authorities. He is a convicted felon previously found guilty of smuggling toxins from the United States and conspiracy to kill or maim a person in a foreign country. Due to these prior convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from owning guns or ammunition.
Following today’s plea, Korff faces significant prison time. The maximum penalties include 20 years for the attempted use of an explosive, 15 years for the firearm possession, and up to 10 years for the unregistered silencers and destructive device.
A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
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