Maryland man arrested after pouring whiskey in holy water at Christmas Eve mass

Maryland man arrested after crashing two Christmas Eve church services

Turning holy water into whiskey has one man in jail tonight. On Christmas Eve, a man disrupted two churches in Maryland. A rather bizarre story that has the sheriff's office on alert for people in need of mental help. FOX 5’s Julie Donaldson has the latest developments from authorities.

A 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged after causing disturbances at two local churches on Christmas Eve, disrupting services and endangering parishioners, according to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, of Avenue, was taken into custody following incidents at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown.

The first incident happened on Dec. 24 shortly after 5 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church. During a Mass, police say Von Goetz approached the altar and dropped an onion in the aisle, unsettling those in attendance. As he left the church, a concerned citizen followed him outside, where Von Goetz allegedly assaulted the individual by throwing tangerines.

Later that night, during Midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, police say Von Goetz reportedly poured whiskey into the holy water and threatened to harm parishioners. As attendees escorted him out, he attempted to strike several people with a whiskey bottle but was unsuccessful.

Parishioners managed to detain him until deputies arrived.

Von Goetz was then taken to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for a medical evaluation.

On December 26, Von Goetz was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including 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.

He is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, awaiting a hearing before a District Court Commissioner.