Man Who Made Threats To OC Catholic Church Claimed To Be 'Angel Of Death', DA Says

SANTA ANA, CA — An Alabama man who drove cross-country to St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado Canyon after making criminal threats was claiming to be the "Angel of Death" sent to "do the Lord's reaping," the Orange County District Attorney's Office reported.

Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, was arrested and charged with felony criminal threats and possession of six high-capacity gun magazines, brass knuckles and a sword.

Investigators also found several knives, a stun gun, body armor, duct tape, rope, walkie-talkies and other tactical gear from Richardson's truck.

On Aug. 19, St. Michael's Abbey received a threatening email from an individual later identified as Richardson, claiming to be the "rider of the pale horse," a reference to the last of the Four Horseman in the Book of Revelation, according to OCDA Todd Spitzer.

Richardson claimed he was "sent to do the Lord's reaping before his harvest."

In his email, Richardson claimed to be the "Angel of Death" and explained that he chose St. Michael's Abbey due to the fact that it is one of the few churches in the United States that still celebrates Michaelmas.

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, Richardson attended afternoon church services at St. Michael's Abbey and — after the service — followed a priest into a private area of the church, before telling the priest that he "came to do the Lord's work, to separate the weak from the weeds, and that he rode his white pale horse from Alabama," prosecutors said.

He was arrested in Santa Monica two days later on Thursday, Aug. 28.

"The walls of our churches are not just symbols of sanctuary; they represent the most sacred places of worship and of peace," said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. "No one should have to worship in fear that a stranger would walk through the door with the intent to carry out their own day of judgement and determine who lives and who dies."