MD Man Poured Whiskey In Holy Water At Christmas Service, Police Say

ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD — A Maryland man is facing charges after authorities said he poured whiskey into the holy water at a Christmas church service in St. Mary's County and used the bottle to try to attack parishioners.

Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 56, of Avenue, was arrested Thursday and charged with several counts including second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, defacing religious property, threatening mass violence and disturbing the peace in connection with the Christmas Eve incidents, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office announced.

According to authorities, Von Goetz entered Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue during a Christmas mass. Police said he approached the altar and dropped an onion in the aisle.

A citizen followed Von Goetz as he exited the church to ensure he was leaving the premises. According to police, Von Goetz assaulted the citizen outside the church by throwing tangerines at him.

Later that night, authorities said Von Goetz disturbed a midnight mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown by pouring whiskey into the holy water and threatening to harm parishioners.

As church attendees escorted him from the building, he tried unsuccessfully to strike several people with a whiskey bottle, authorities said. Parishioners detained Von Goetz until deputies arrived.

Von Goetz was taken to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for medical evaluation.

Von Goetz was also charged with obstructing a religious exercise and religious crime against a group. He is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, pending an appearance before a District Court Commissioner.