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Man Who Threatened OC Catholic Church Charged For Illegal Weapons, Threats
Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, traveled over 2,000 miles from Alabama to California and was charged with multiple felonies after threatening St Michael's Abbey and being found armed, officials said.
- Joshua Michael Richardson, a 38-year-old Alabama man, was arrested on August 28 after threatening St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado Canyon, California.
- The arrest followed Richardson's threatening emails sent on August 19 and his August 26 visit to the abbey, where he attended mass and made additional threats including following a priest.
- Authorities found body armor, brass knuckles, knives, high-capacity magazines, a stun gun, duct tape, rope, and tactical gear in Richardson's vehicle during the arrest.
- District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated that Richardson identified himself as the "rider of the pale horse," a reference to the Four Horsemen described in biblical prophecy, and claimed he was sent to "carry out the Lord's reaping before the harvest," emphasizing that no one should have to attend worship services in fear.
- Richardson is currently held on multiple felony charges with a $50,000 bond, while the archdiocese has called for increased alertness following a recent shooting that targeted a religious educational institution in Minneapolis.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Alabama man, who called himself 'Angel of Death,' arrested for allegedly threatening California monastery
A heavily armed Alabama man who called himself the "Angel of Death" allegedly threatened a Southern California monastery and made a cross-country trip to that Catholic abbey last month, authorities said Wednesday
Man Who Brought Weapons to California Abbey Described Self As ‘Angel of Death,’ Police Say
EWTN News In Depth Mass at St. Michael’s Abbey in California. The suspect was arrested two days later and was charged with multiple crimes, including threats, felony possession of brass knuckles, and felony possession of a dagger.
Man who brought weapons to California abbey described self as ‘angel of death,’ police say
Mass at St. Michael’s Abbey in California. / Credit: “EWTN News In Depth”/Screenshot CNA Staff, Sep 4, 2025 / 10:19 am (CNA). A man arrested with a car full of weapons after threatening a California Catholic church told the parish he was an ang... [...]
Man claiming to be ‘angel of death’ drives cross country to threaten Calif. church
An Alabama man claiming to be "the Angel of Death" has been arrested after he allegedly threatened a California church, both in-person and via email, authorities say. #Alabamaman #California #abbey #Catholic #threats #massshooting #OrangeCounty #police
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