A 38-year-old Alabama man was arrested after investigators say he drove across the country and threatened a Catholic monastery in Silverado Canyon he had already emailed threats to, authorities said.
Joshua Michael Richardson is accused of visiting St. Michael’s Abbey on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and making threats, said Sgt. Gerard McCann with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
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Two days later, a priest reported the threats to the Sheriff’s Department along with emailed threats the abbey previously received, McCann said.
Authorities found and detained Richardson in his vehicle at a parking structure in the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Investigators believe Richardson drove from Alabama and arrived in California on Tuesday, Aug. 26, McCann said.
Officials searched Richardson’s vehicle and found body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles and knives, the Sheriff’s Department said.
Richardson was then arrested and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats. He does not have a history of violent crime, McCann said.
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, he was charged with one count each of criminal threats, possession of a deadly weapon, in this case metal knuckles, carrying a dirk or dagger, and possession of a large-capacity magazine, according to court records.
The Sheriff’s Department hasn’t revealed the content of the threats or a possible motive in the case. A monastery representative could not be reached for comment.
Investigators don’t believe there is any connection between the threats and the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured more than a dozen other children and three adults.
Since the arrest, the Sheriff’s Department has increased patrol checks in the area around the monastery, and the abbey has also increased its private security, McCann said.
The Sheriff’s Department asked anyone with information about the case to call investigators at 714-647-7000 or leave an anonymous tip at 1-855-TIPS-OCCS.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange said in a statement it was grateful for authorities “ensuring the safety of our parish community.
“In today’s environment of increased threats against churches, and particularly mindful of recent events in Minnesota, our parishes and schools continue to strengthen security efforts and remain vigilant to help protect our parishioners, students and staff,” the diocese said.
Construction began on the Silverado Canyon abbey in 2018, about 7 miles north of its previous location in Trabuco Canyon after the priests and seminarians outgrew that location. The new spot sits on 320 acres or so where a former ranch stood. The new site was dedicated in 2021.
The abbey was founded in 1961 by seven priests fleeing communist oppression in Hungary. The Norbertine fathers serve the dioceses of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Fresno and they have ministries that travel to hospitals, prisons and convents and hold summer camps and retreats.