A man from Maryland, USA, was taken into custody on Christmas Eve after allegedly disrupting services at two churches, including pouring whiskey into holy water and threatening parishioners.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office reported that Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 56, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses following two separate incidents that disturbed worshippers and posed a public safety risk.
The first disruption occurred around 5 PM at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue, where Von Goetz allegedly approached the altar during Mass and dropped an onion in the aisle, causing a disturbance.
As he exited the church, he reportedly assaulted a bystander by throwing tangerines at them, as reported by Fox News.
Hours later, during Midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, Von Goetz returned to disrupt another service.
Witnesses say he poured whiskey into the holy water font and issued threats toward attendees.
When parishioners intervened and attempted to escort him out, Von Goetz allegedly tried to strike them with a whiskey bottle.
Parishioners managed to detain Von Goetz until law enforcement arrived.
He was subsequently taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation before being formally arrested on 26th December 2024.
Von Goetz faces charges including Second-Degree Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Defacing Religious Property, Obstructing a Religious Exercise, Threat of Mass Violence, and Disturbing the Peace.
He is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, awaiting an appearance before a District Court Commissioner.