On Christmas Eve 2024, a series of disruptive and unsettling incidents unfolded at two Catholic churches in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, culminating in the arrest of 56-year-old Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz. His actions, ranging from the bizarre to the threatening, disturbed the sanctity of religious services and instilled fear among parishioners celebrating the holiday. Von Goetz’s erratic behavior began during an evening Mass at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue, where he interrupted the service by walking to the altar and placing an onion in the aisle. This seemingly innocuous act, however, marked the beginning of a disturbing pattern of escalating disruptive behavior. As Von Goetz left the church, he further exacerbated the situation by assaulting an individual outside, pelting them with tangerines. This incident foreshadowed the more serious events that would transpire later that evening.
As the clock approached midnight and Christmas Eve transitioned into Christmas Day, Von Goetz targeted a second church, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown. His actions at this location took a more alarming turn, moving beyond mere disruption to acts of sacrilege and potential violence. During Midnight Mass, Von Goetz desecrated the holy water, pouring whiskey into the font, a gesture deeply offensive to the Catholic faith. He compounded this act of disrespect by issuing threats of harm towards the parishioners present, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety amidst what should have been a peaceful celebration.
The escalating nature of Von Goetz’s actions prompted concerned parishioners to intervene. As they attempted to escort him from the church, he responded aggressively, brandishing a whiskey bottle and attempting to strike several individuals. Fortunately, his attempts proved unsuccessful, and the parishioners managed to subdue him until law enforcement arrived. This act of collective bravery prevented the situation from potentially escalating into violence and protected the congregants from harm.
Following his apprehension by parishioners, Von Goetz was taken into custody by deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation to assess his physical and mental state. This evaluation was a crucial step in understanding the underlying factors contributing to his behavior and ensuring he received appropriate medical attention if needed. After the evaluation, Von Goetz remained in custody, facing a series of charges stemming from his disruptive actions at both churches.
Two days later, on December 26, 2024, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office formally charged Von Goetz with multiple offenses related to his Christmas Eve disruptions. The charges reflected the severity and multifaceted nature of his actions, encompassing 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. This comprehensive list of charges underscored the gravity of his behavior, which ranged from acts of disrespect and disruption to potential threats against the safety of the community.
Following the filing of charges, Von Goetz was held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center pending an appearance before a District Court Commissioner. This appearance would mark the beginning of the legal process, where the charges against him would be formally addressed, and the court would determine the appropriate course of action. The incidents at the two churches served as a stark reminder of the potential for disruption and even violence within seemingly peaceful settings and the importance of community vigilance and swift action by law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of all.
