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Man Poured Whiskey in Holy Water During Midnight Mass

A man is facing multiple charges after reportedly causing a nuisance at two churches that allegedly included adding extra spirits to the spirit of Christmas by spiking the holy water with whiskey in one of the houses of worship.

On the evening of December 24, the Holy Angels church was in the middle of its 5:00 mass when an unknown man entered. According to reports he walked to the front of the church and placed an onion on the floor before he walked out of the building. When parishioners went outside to see where he went, the man allegedly tried to pelt them with tangerines before running away.

During the second incident, which occurred approximately 45 minutes into the midnight mass at St. Francis Xavier Church, a man walked in with a bottle of whiskey in his hand. While there, he allegedly threatened to hurt the people in attendance and stated that he wanted to “kill Catholics.” The man reportedly dumped the whiskey into the holy water, which he allegedly said he did so he could “blind Satan.” The authorities were notified, and parishioners forced the man to remain there while deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office went to the church.

The suspect, who was initially arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, defacing religious property, religious crime against a group, obstructing a religious exercise, threat of mass violence, and disturbing the peace, was taken to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for an evaluation. After he was released, he was booked into the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center. According to reports, the preliminary charges have since been updated to second-degree assault and disturbing the peace / disorderly conduct.

If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.

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