Overview

• Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, of Alabama, was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats targeting St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado Canyon.
• Deputies detained him after a priest reported in-person threats on Aug. 28 and later arrested him at the Santa Monica Pier.
• The investigation began with threatening emails to the abbey before the in-person confrontation, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
• A search of his vehicle recovered body armor, high-capacity magazines, knives, brass knuckles, radios and rope, and investigators did not say whether any firearms were seized.
• OCSD says he has no known criminal history, with detectives seeking motive and urging tips to 714-647-7000 or Orange County Crime Stoppers.