Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Alabama man following reports of threatening emails sent to St. Michael’s Abbey, a Catholic monastery in California. Authorities allege the man, Joshua Michael Richardson, drove from Alabama to California, arrived at the abbey, and made additional threats. His vehicle was searched and found to contain weapons and tactical gear. Richardson was charged with several offenses, including possession of brass knuckles and large-capacity magazines.
The investigation into Richardson’s actions was prompted by threatening emails he sent to the abbey on August 28. A priest who encountered Richardson at the abbey two days later notified the sheriff’s department, leading to a swift response. Sheriff’s officials confirmed that Richardson, who was detained late last month, arrived in California on the same day he went to the abbey. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said they quickly located and detained him without incident.
During the search of Richardson’s vehicle, deputies found a variety of weapons and tactical gear, including large-capacity magazines, body armor, knives, and brass knuckles. He was booked into the Orange County Jail and later faced formal charges from the District Attorney’s Office. On September 1, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office formally charged Richardson with several offenses, including possession of brass knuckles, carrying a concealed dagger, possession of a large-capacity magazine, and making criminal threats.
Jarryd Gonzales, spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, confirmed the incident and thanked local law enforcement for their prompt action. Gonzales noted that the diocese is taking the incident seriously, especially in light of rising threats against churches nationwide, citing the recent shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. The sheriff’s department has increased patrols near the monastery, which sits on a 320-acre former ranch, while the abb, which sits on a 320-acre former ranch, while the abbey itself has enhanced its private security.
Officials emphasized the importance of community vigilance and urged the public to report suspicious activity. “While incidents like this can feel unsettling, they also highlight the power of community,” said officials. “If something seems off, say something. Trust your instincts and report suspicious activity, whether it is a strange message, unusual behavior, or something that does not sit right. Your call could stop a crime before it happens.”
The investigation remains active, and authorities urged anyone with relevant information to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000. Fox News Digital reached out to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for comment, but no response was received at the time of the report.