US EditionMan Who Threatened OC Monastery Had Guns, Armor, Brass Knuckles In Car: Police
Authorities arrested Joshua Michael Richardson after finding body armor and weapons in his vehicle; no violent crime history was noted, and security measures increased near the monastery.
- Orange County deputies arrested Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, Alabama resident, this week for threatening St. Michael's Abbey and booked him into the Orange County Jail.
- Richardson allegedly visited St. Michael's Abbey on Tuesday, Aug. 26 and made threats, followed by "suspicious, threatening emails" reported on Aug. 28.
- Sheriff's investigators searched Richardson's vehicle, uncovering body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles, and knives, then detained him at the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue parking structure in Santa Monica.
- Since the arrest, the Orange County Sheriff's Department increased patrols near St. Michael's Abbey, the abbey strengthened private security, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange thanked law enforcement for their swift response.
- The case remains under investigation, and officials asked the public to call Orange County Sheriff's Department tip line 647-7000 with tips, stating investigators do not believe the threats connect to the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis.
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25 Articles
New York Post
Fox NewsMan drove across country with weapons, made threats after targeting Catholic monastery, officials say
The Orange County Sheriff's Department said deputies detained Joshua Michael Richardson late last month following reports of threatening emails he sent to St. Michael’s Abbey. Investigators said the emails, reported on Aug. 28, contained language interpreted as threatening.
Police arrest man who brought body armor, gun equipment, knives to California abbey
An undated police photo shows evidence allegedly recovered from Joshua Michael Richardson's car after threats police say he made against St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado, California. / Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department CNA Staff, Sep 3, 2025 / 11:00 am (CNA). Authorities in California arrested a man who brought a cache of weapons, including gun paraphernalia, to a remote California abbey late last month. Sheriff’s deputies arrested 38-…
Police Arrest Man Who Brought Body Armor, Gun Equipment, Knives to California Abbey
Courtesy photo An undated police photo shows evidence allegedly recovered from Joshua Michael Richardson's car after threats police say he made against St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado, California. Richardson was booked into the Orange County Jail. Records show he is being held at a police facility in the city of Orange.
The Mercury news
East Bay TimesThreats to California Catholic monastery lead to arrest, discovery of body armor and knives in vehicle, authorities say
An 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.
Man arrested after threats at California Catholic church; weapons found in car
An Alabama man allegedly made threats against a Catholic monastery in California and was later found with body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles, and knives in his vehicle, according to officials. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said 38-year-old Joshua Michael Richardson of Alabama sent threatening emails to St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado Canyon and later appeared at the church in person, where he made additional threats th…
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