Authorities arrested an Alabama man after he allegedly threatened St. Michael’s Abbey, a Catholic monastery in Orange County, California, officials said in a Sept. 2 news release. Law enforcement later found weapons and tactical gear in the man's car, according to the release.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as 38-year-old Joshua Michael Richardson. The investigation began Aug. 28 when a priest at St. Michael’s Abbey reported receiving “suspicious, threatening emails,” the release stated. Richardson later showed up at the abbey in person and “made additional threats.”
Deputies arrested Richardson about 60 miles from the church, in a Santa Monica Pier parking structure. They found high-capacity ammunition magazines, body armor, brass knuckles, knives, and other tactical gear in his vehicle.
Investigators and deputies quickly located and detained Richardson for criminal threats. After searching his vehicle, they found body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles and knives. He was arrested without further incident and booked into the Orange County Jail. pic.twitter.com/hE7qBOOaPw
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) September 2, 2025
While incidents like this can feel unsettling, they also highlight the power of community," the department said in the release. "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 sheriff’s department said the investigation remains ongoing, and Richardson is booked in Orange County jail.
St. Michael’s Abbey is a Norbertine Catholic monastery and home to more than 60 priests and 40 seminarians, according to its website. Its ministries extend to schools, parishes, and prisons across Southern California.