San Diego County Man Federally Charged with Mailing to Temecula Mosque Letter Threatening to Perpetrate Mass Murder of Muslims

RIVERSIDE, California - A San Diego County man has been federally charged with mailing to a mosque in Riverside County a letter that included threats of perpetrating a mass killing of Muslims, the Justice Department announced today.

Louis White, 60, of Warner Springs, was charged Thursday in a federal criminal complaint with mailing threatening communications. White is in state custody but is expected to be transferred to federal custody in the coming weeks.

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on August 26, the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley, a mosque in Temecula, reported to law enforcement that it had received a threatening letter that read, in part, "I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY TO KILL EVERY ONE OF YOU, IT CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH!"

Under the text was a hand drawing of crosshairs containing a bearded face with X's for eyes and wearing a hat stating, "[expletive] Allah."

Law enforcement investigated and traced the letter to White. During a search of White's residence on August 29, law enforcement seized several firearms, including one believed to be an AR15-style short-barreled rifle with no serial number - commonly referred to as a "ghost gun."

White was arrested and is currently in state custody in a Riverside County jail.

A criminal complaint contains merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, White would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department are investigating this matter. The Temecula Police Department provided assistance.

Assistant United States Attorney Barr Benyamin of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.