Justice Department Pushes for Eviction of Incel from Ohio State University Vicinity

A man from Ohio, who identifies as an ‘incel’ and was convicted for planning a mass shooting at a sorority, is now residing just two blocks away from Ohio State University’s campus. The Justice Department is advocating for Tres Genco’s eviction from his Columbus home due to safety concerns.

The Justice Department expressed serious safety concerns in a motion submitted on May 26 to U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott of the Southern District of Ohio. In agreement, an Ohio State University spokesperson stated that student safety is their primary concern and they support the Justice Department’s motion.

The motion filed by the Justice Department seeks additional terms for Genco’s supervised release. They propose that Genco reside more than two miles away from any university or college in Ohio and that his residence must receive prior approval from the probation office. It also requests a prohibition on Genco entering any campus grounds without this prior approval and advocates for the installation of computer monitoring software on his devices.

Genco, originally from Hillsboro, Ohio, was arrested in 2021. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to attempting to commit a hate crime. His sentence included six years of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised probation. In a manifesto titled “A Hideous Symphony,” Genco revealed plans to “slaughter” women driven by “hatred, jealousy, and revenge” at an Ohio-based university. A sorority at Ohio State was among his targets. His preparations included acquiring a bulletproof vest, a skull mask, and weaponry. Arrest ensued in July 2021 after his mother reported threats and his subsequent barricade in a room. Deputies discovered Genco’s detailed plans and his arsenal.

The term “incel” combines ‘involuntary celibate’ and is associated with a mainly online community of misogynistic men who harbor women-hating sentiments, believing women owe them sexual access.

The Justice Department also insists on a no-contact order between Genco and Thomas Develin, Genco’s former cellmate and ex-member of the Ohio National Guard. Develin is imprisoned for producing and selling “ghost guns,” which are homemade, untraceable weapons, and for making threats towards a Jewish school. Genco’s public defenders responded on May 30, labeling the Justice Department’s concerns as “unfounded,” though they consented to the computer monitoring and the no-contact order with Develin despite crediting Genco with positively influencing Develin. Genco allegedly aided Develin’s departure from antisemitic beliefs by sharing his Jewish heritage and family history.

The attorneys confirmed that Develin’s family had assisted Genco’s relocation near OSU in mid-May. Genco strongly opposes the proposed residential restrictions and the condition of reporting to probation before setting foot on a college campus, arguing these would destabilize him physically, financially, and psychologically. The lawyers stated these limitations would oust him from his probation-approved home, impose financial burdens, and restrict his mobility.

Genco’s attorneys noted the Justice Department’s failure to request these conditions before his supervised release began. They emphasized that granting such a motion would impose a more severe stigma on Genco than is imposed on registered sex offenders, despite his notable rehabilitation progress. According to court records, Genco previously resided in an unspecified halfway house between August and April, where he maintained employment and complied with regulations.

As of now, Judge Dlott has not issued a ruling on these motions, based on the available court records.