Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 56, of Avenue
UPDATE 12/27/2024: Police in St. Mary’s County have charged Thomas Campbell Bowling Von-Goetz, 56, of Avenue, in connection with two incidents at local churches during the Christmas holiday. Court documents describe a series of disruptive and threatening actions that allegedly endangered parishioners and interrupted religious services at Holy Angels Church and St. Francis Xavier Church.
On December 24, 2024, at approximately 5:12 p.m., Von-Goetz entered Holy Angels Church, located on Colton Point Road in Avenue, during a Catholic Mass, walked up the aisle and stopped to stare at the deacon before dropping an onion on the ground and leaving the building.
A parishioner who witnessed the event, went outside to ensure Von-Goetz had left the area. However, Von-Goetz allegedly began throwing tangerines at him and other parishioners. He attempted to strike them with the fruit, further escalating the situation. The disruption delayed the continuation of the service.
As a result of this incident, Von-Goetz was charged with:
- Assault – Second Degree
- Disturbing the Peace/Disorderly Conduct
On December 25, 2024, at approximately 12:44 a.m., Von-Goetz entered St. Francis Xavier Church on Newtowne Neck Road in Leonardtown. Parishioners were lined up to receive communion when he reportedly walked toward the altar while carrying a bottle of whiskey. Court records indicate that he attempted to push past a Deacon, shouting that he was there to “kill a man.”
According to witnesses, the deacon and several parishioners intervened, escorting Von-Goetz out of the church. As they did, Von-Goetz allegedly swung the whiskey bottle at them and continued yelling threats, including, “I want to kill Catholics.” He reportedly encouraged parishioners to meet him in the church hall, further intensifying the situation.
Von-Goetz admitted to pouring whiskey into the church’s holy water, contaminating and destroying it. He later justified this act by saying he wanted to “blind Satan.” The damage rendered the holy water unusable and caused monetary loss valued at less than $100.
Von-Goetz faces the following charges from this incident, including:
- Threat of Mass Violence
- Race/Religious Crime: Person/Group
- Defacing Religious Property
- Obstructing the Exercise of Religious Belief
- Malicious Destruction of Property (Value Under $1,000)
- Assault – Second Degree
- Disturbing the Peace/Disorderly Conduct
Both incidents caused significant disruption. The Mass at Holy Angels Church was delayed, and the communion service at St. Francis Xavier Church was halted entirely. Parishioners reportedly felt endangered by Von-Goetz’s actions, prompting multiple calls to law enforcement.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant and he was arrested on December 26, 2024,
Von-Goetz has been summoned to appear for a preliminary inquiry on February 7, 2025, at the District Court of Maryland in Leonardtown.
12/26/2024: Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office have arrested and charged Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 56, of Avenue, after incidents at two local churches disrupted religious services and endangered citizens.
On December 24, 2024, shortly after 5 p.m., Von Goetz entered Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue during a Mass. He approached the altar and dropped an onion in the aisle, disturbing the peace of those attending.
A citizen followed Von Goetz as he exited the church to ensure he was leaving the premises. Outside, Von Goetz assaulted the citizen by throwing tangerines at him.
Later that night, during Midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, Von Goetz disrupted the service by pouring whiskey into the holy water and threatening to harm parishioners.
As church attendees escorted him from the building, he attempted unsuccessfully to strike several individuals with a whiskey bottle.
Parishioners detained Von Goetz until deputies arrived; he was then transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for medical evaluation.
On December 26, 2024, Von Goetz was arrested and charged with the following offenses:
- Second-Degree Assault
- Disorderly Conduct
- Defacing Religious Property
- Religious Crime Against a Group
- Obstructing a Religious Exercise
- Threat of Mass Violence
- Disturbing the Peace
Von-Goetz is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, pending an appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
