Jesse William Korff, 31, of North Fort Myers, pleaded guilty to several federal charges related to illegal weapons and explosives possession. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Korff admitted guilt to charges including possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, possession of unregistered silencers, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and attempted malicious use of an explosive. He could face up to 15 years in prison for the firearms charge, up to 10 years for possessing unregistered silencers and a destructive device, and up to 20 years for attempting to use an explosive with malicious intent. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Court documents state that on May 19, 2025, Fort Myers Police responded to a 911 hang-up call at a residence where they encountered a reported hostage situation. Officers observed Korff in an altercation with a woman and detained him at the scene. During the incident, police recovered a firearm and silencer that had become dislodged during the struggle and found a destructive device protruding from Korff’s pocket.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad used robotic equipment to remove what was identified as a pipe bomb before taking Korff into custody. Testing by both the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that there had been an attempt to detonate the device. Additional weapons and bomb-making materials were found in Korff’s vehicle and residence.
Korff is legally barred from owning firearms or ammunition due to previous convictions for transfer and possession of toxins intended as weapons, smuggling toxins out of the United States, and conspiracy involving violent acts abroad.
The investigation involved cooperation between the Fort Myers Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan is prosecuting the case.
"Jesse William Korff (31, North Fort Myers) today pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of unregistered silencers, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and attempted malicious use of an explosive," according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
