Man Charged With Threatening OC Catholic Church Pleads Guilty To Weapon Possession

SILVERADO, CA — An Alabama man charged with making a series of threats toward a Roman Catholic abbey in South Orange County pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing brass knuckles.

Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession of a deadly weapon, metal knuckles, court records show.

He is scheduled to be sentenced March 27 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

Richardson was arrested on Aug. 28 on suspicion of criminal threats aimed at St. Michael's Abbey.

Richardson was accused of sending threatening emails to the abbey at 27977 Silverado Canyon Road.

In an Aug. 19 email, Richardson allegedly characterized himself as "The Angel of Death," Manley said.
"My seal was broken on St. Patrick's Day," he allegedly wrote. "I spent the entire summer trying to reach out to the people to no avail. I was definitely the voice in the wilderness, crying out, and no one heard me. But it is now harvest season, and I will be making my way to L.A. really soon."

Richardson allegedly wrote that he noticed the abbey had a "chapel in my name," according to Deputy District Attorney Kelly Manley.

"So I'm hoping you already know all about me and my purpose as the rider of the pale horse," he allegedly wrote, according to Manley, referring to one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Church officials said they receive "bizarre or concerning emails every so often," but this one was "particularly alarming due to their biblical references," Manley wrote in court papers.

Richardson has prior arrests and convictions in Alabama for domestic violence, disorderly conduct and failing to appear in court dating back to March 2011, Manley said.

City News Service contributed to this report.