San Diego County Man Accused Of Threatening Mass Killing At Temecula Mosque

SAN DIEGO, CA — A San Diego County man has been federally charged with mailing a letter to a Riverside County mosque threatening to kill Muslims, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

Louis White, 60, of Warner Springs was charged Thursday with mailing threatening communications. He is being held in a Riverside County jail on state charges and is expected to be transferred to federal custody in the coming weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Islamic Center of Temecula Valley reported Aug. 26 that it received a letter threatening to kill members of the mosque. The letter included a drawing of a bearded face with crosshairs and an offensive reference to Allah, according to an affidavit filed with the federal complaint.

Investigators traced the letter to White. During a search of his home on Aug. 29, authorities seized several firearms, including a weapon believed to be an AR-15-style short-barreled rifle without a serial number, prosecutors said.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Riverside County Sheriff's Department are investigating, with assistance from the Temecula Police Department.

The federal charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison if White is convicted.