Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators have arrested Joshua Michael Richardson, a 38-year-old Alabama resident, on suspicion of making criminal threats in Silverado Canyon.
According to the department, personnel were contacted on August 28 after St. Michael’s Abbey received suspicious and threatening emails. Authorities say that Richardson later visited the church in person and made additional threats, which prompted a priest at the Abbey to report the incident.
Investigators and deputies located Richardson soon after and detained him for criminal threats. A search of his vehicle uncovered body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles, and knives. He was taken into custody without further incident and booked into Orange County Jail.
The Sheriff’s Department noted: “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, whether it is a strange message, unusual behavior, or something that does not sit right. Your call could stop a crime before it happens.”
