An Alabama man was arrested on suspicion of making threats toward a Catholic monastery in Silverado Canyon.
Threatening emails to St. Michael’s Abbey were reported to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday, Aug. 28, before Joshua Michael Richardson visited the church and made more threats, officials said.
A priest reported the in-person threats to the Sheriff’s Department, authorities said, and investigators and deputies found and detained Richardson, 38.
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.
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.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.