Man arrested over threats against Muslims, California mosque: DOJ
A California man who allegedly owned several firearms was arrested and charged by federal prosecutors after he allegedly threatened to kill Muslims at a mosque, the Department of Justice said.
Louis White, 60, of Warner Springs, was charged Thursday with mailing threatening communications after he sent a threatening note to the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley last week, federal prosecutors said.
White included a hand-drawn image of a bearded person in a crosshair in the alleged handwritten note that included vulgarity against Muslims.
The mosque contacted law enforcement after it received the alleged note on Aug. 26 and investigators tracked it to White, the criminal complaint said. Law enforcement agents searched his residence on Saturday and discovered several firearms, including an alleged ghost gun rifle, according to the complaint.
Law enforcement officers arrested White and he allegedly confessed to sending the letter to the mosque, according to the criminal complaint.
While he was being interviewed by law enforcement, White allegedly made several inflammatory and discriminatory statements toward Muslims, the complaint said.
At one point during the interview, White allegedly "spoke about Muslims taking over America and killing Americans," according to the complaint.
White then allegedly asked one of the investigators what he was going to do about his statements, the complaint said.
"I can't do anything now that you took my guns!" White allegedly told the investigators.
He is currently being held in a Riverside County Jail and awaiting transfer to federal custody, according to the criminal complaint.
Attorney information was not immediately available.
The arrest comes nearly three months after two teenagers opened fire at a San Diego Islamic Center, killing three.
The two suspects in the attack were found dead in a vehicle nearby, authorities said.
