An Alabama man accused of making threats and then showing up in August at a Roman Catholic abbey in Silverado Canyon faces a federal charge accusing him of threatening the church while in Alabama, then driving across the country with the intent of carrying out the threat, according to a complaint filed by federal authorities made public on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Joshua Michael Richardson, 38, of Jemison, Alabama faces a charge of traveling across state lines with the intent to kill, injure, harass or intimidate, or place under surveillance with the intent to kill, injure, harass, or intimidate another person, according to the criminal complaint.
Richardson allegedly sent an email to St. Michael’s Abbey on Aug. 19, then drove a truck to California, attended church services on Aug. 26 and made what the priest thought were threatening remarks, including “that he came to do the Lord’s work,” and it was “time to harvest,” according to court filings in Orange County Superior Court, where Richardson pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession of metal knuckles.
Federal authorities filed their case against Richardson on Friday, the same day he was released from Orange County jail into federal custody.
Richardson, with a long red-haired beard, posted a photo of himself on X in front of a St. Michael’s Abbey sign and was captured on a church surveillance camera.
While speaking to the priest on Aug. 26, Richardson allegedly said the church had been built for him and that he was there to “separate the wheat from the weeds.”
The discussion led the clergy member to call 911, authorities have said.
Two days later, Orange County sheriff’s investigators used Richardson’s cellphone location to find him in Santa Monica. A search of his truck turned up a dagger, brass knuckles, body armor, empty rifle magazines and other tactical gear, officials said.
Also found was a calendar that had “End Reaping” written on the space for Sept. 27, 2025, and a written document titled “Articles of War,” which federal authorities said included several “grievances against the United States government, pharmaceutical companies, politicians, the ‘system,’ and ‘corruption.’ ”
“We are in no way overthrowing the government,” the document says, according to the federal complaint. “Only the corruption within it. Any found guilty of treason, will be executed. Their sins will be washed away by the waters of liberty.
“Those that sought to destroy the people and or nation,” it says. “They will be purged from the land, executed by fire.”
In his Aug. 19 email to the church, federal documents say, Richardson allegedly characterized himself as “The Angel of Death,” and “rider of the pale horse,” and wrote that he was reaching out because “I noticed you have a chapel in my name. So I was wondering what you knew about me. I also noticed you have a campground, so I will most likely come and stay there. Only seems fair.”
Richardson further stated he was “in Alabama now,” and wanted to “confirm that I can stay there before I make the 2 day drive,” according to the complaint.
Richardson arrived a week later.
The clergy member told law enforcement that the church increased security to 24 hours a day at the abbey following Richardson’s arrival.
The clergy member said Richardson’s email was “particularly alarming” because it made Biblical references and because he had physically showed up to the church after sending the email.
When asked if he feared Richardson could come back and cause harm, a clergy member said yes, the complaint says.
Richardson was released from custody in Orange County into the custody of federal authorities on Friday, Sept. 26, said Carrie Braun, a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
As part of his plea deal in Orange County Superior Court, Richardson was to go back to Alabama immediately and report to police in Jemison, according to court documents. He was to check in at least two more times before returning to Orange County in late March for a sentencing date.
He was also ordered to not possess any firearms, ammunition, magazines or other weapons, to submit to searches of person and property, to not contact anyone at St. Michael’s Abbey, and to stay at least 300 yards away from the campus.
Should he violate any term, he could face more than three years in state prison, according to the document.
It was not yet known when Richardson will make his first federal court appearance in Alabama, or when he would be taken back to Alabama from California by federal authorities.
It was unclear if Richardson had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.