A Las Cruces man suspected of wielding a knife and threatening a pastor of a local church was arrested by police Sunday.
James Bernard Wright, 48, is charged with one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawfully carrying a deadly weapon.
At around 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the Greater St. John Church of God where Wright allegedly threatened a pastor.
Detectives learned from an assistant pastor of the church that Wright had, allegedly, previously made a threat to cause damage to the church or harm worshippers. On Sunday, as the assistant pastor was preparing for services, he noticed Wright outside. The pastor called 911 and then went outside to tell Wright that he was not welcome there.
That’s when Wright allegedly wielded a large kitchen knife and verbally threatened the pastor. Officers arrived and quickly located Wright near the church and in possession of a backpack. Inside the backpack, officers located a knife with a blade approximately seven inches long.
No injuries were reported.
Wright was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he was initially held without bond.
Information from Las Cruces Police