A 38-year-old man armed with knives, brass knuckles, and high-capacity magazines has been arrested after making threats toward St Michael’s Abbey, a Catholic monastery in Orange County, California. Involving such a heavily-armed individual is alarming for any community. The case of the heavily-armed man arrested after threats to the Catholic monastery in California underlines the severity of the situation.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said John Michael Richardson, from Alabama, was taken into custody after travelling more than 2,000 miles to Southern California and showing up at the abbey in late August.
Online threats escalated into in-person incident
Investigators revealed Richardson had already been on law enforcement’s radar after sending a series of threatening emails to the abbey. The situation escalated when he appeared in person. He was wearing body armour and carrying weapons, fulfilling the description of a heavily-armed man arrested after threats to the Catholic monastery in California.
A priest who encountered him raised the alarm, prompting deputies to respond quickly and detain him.
A search of Richardson’s vehicle uncovered a cache of weapons, including knives, brass knuckles, body armour and high-capacity magazines, highlighting how this heavily-armed man posed a significant threat to the Catholic monastery.
Arrest and charges
Richardson was arrested at the scene and booked into Orange County Jail. Following the arrest of this heavily-armed individual, locals have remained on edge. The incident involving a heavily-armed man arrested after threats to the Catholic monastery in California contributes to this feeling.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office confirmed on Monday that he has been charged with multiple offences, including:
- Carrying a concealed dagger
- Possession of a large-capacity magazine
- Making criminal threats
Catholic Diocese response
In a statement, Jarryd Gonzales, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Orange, said:
“The Diocese of Orange has been made aware of a threat directed toward St. Michael’s Abbey. Local law enforcement responded swiftly, and a suspect has been apprehended. We are grateful to the authorities for their quick action in ensuring the safety of our parish community.”
The diocese also emphasised that, in light of increased threats toward churches, parishes and schools are continuing to strengthen security measures. The presence of a heavily-armed man making threats adds to the urgency of these measures.
Police: “Trust your instincts”
The Sheriff’s Department urged the public to remain vigilant, stressing that community awareness plays a vital role in preventing crimes. They noted how, in this recent case involving a heavily-armed threat, someone trusting their instincts could make all the difference.
“While incidents like this can feel unsettling, they also highlight the power of community. If something seems off, say something. Trust your instincts and report suspicious activity.”
Wider context
The incident comes amid rising concerns about threats against Christian institutions across the United States. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a federal task force to combat anti-Christian violence and bias.
Richardson remains in custody as court proceedings begin. The incident involving this heavily-armed man highlights broader security concerns. Indeed, the heavily-armed man arrested after threats to the Catholic monastery in California serves as a wake-up call for parish communities nationwide.
