A Maryland man is facing multiple charges after allegedly disrupting Christmas Eve services at two Catholic churches in St. Mary’s County.
According to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, 56-year-old Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz first disrupted Mass at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue shortly after 5:00 PM on December 24th. He allegedly walked towards the altar and dropped an onion in the aisle, disturbing the service.
When confronted outside the church, Von Goetz reportedly threw tangerines at a parishioner.
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Later that evening, Von Goetz entered St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown during midnight Mass, where he allegedly poured whiskey into the holy water and threatened to harm parishioners.
Attendees escorted him out of the church, and he allegedly attempted to assault people with a whiskey bottle.
Parishioners detained Von Goetz until deputies arrived. He was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for medical evaluation and was arrested on December 26th.
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Von Goetz is facing a slew of charges, including:
- Second-degree assault
- Disorderly conduct
- Defacing religious property
- Religious crime against a group
- Obstructing a religious exercise
- Threat of mass violence
- Disturbing the peace
He is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center pending a court appearance.
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