A New Jersey man has been charged with possessing a dangerous weapon and damaging federal property after an incident at the Peter Rodino Federal Building in Newark last week, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Keith Michael Lisa, 51, of Barnegat, was arrested and charged by complaint with one count of possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility and one count of depredation of federal property. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte on November 17, 2025, and was detained.
Court documents and statements indicate that Lisa entered the Peter Rodino Federal Building shortly before 5:00 p.m. on November 12, 2025, carrying a full-sized aluminum baseball bat. He told security he needed to see the Attorney General’s Office. Security informed him that the bat was not allowed in the building. Lisa left but returned without the bat minutes later; witnesses observed that he was visibly upset and mumbling as he passed through security.
Lisa proceeded to the reception area of the U.S. Attorney’s Office where witnesses reported that he appeared angry and made threats about damaging property. As he exited the building, Lisa knocked framed items off walls, causing damage to federal property.
After learning law enforcement was seeking him, Lisa went into hiding rather than turning himself in. Authorities conducted a coordinated search involving federal, state, and local agencies before arresting him early on November 15.
Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba credited several agencies for their roles in the investigation: “I credit special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos, Jr., Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; Federal Protective Service, under the direction of Director Faron K. Paramore; New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy; and local Mahwah Police Department and Barnegat Police Department.”
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Ari B. Fontecchio and Lauren Kober from Newark’s Criminal Division.
Officials emphasized that all charges are accusations at this stage and that Lisa is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Lisa is represented by Assistant Federal Defender Candace Hom.
