A man who attends St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Chula Vista has denied he threatened the church, which canceled an All Saints Day mass in response to his phone call to the church.
Thomas Martin Escajeda, 61, pleaded not guilty Nov. 2 to a felony charge of making a criminal threat and a misdemeanor charge of telephone harassment. Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Patricia Garcia set bail at $100,000.
Escajeda told KGTV (Channel 10) he phoned the church last Tuesday and talked about how he could “make a killing” if he sold coffee and doughnuts to early worshippers. He said he was later astonished when he was arrested when Chula Vista Police showed up at his door to arrest him on Oct. 31.
“I’m not a bad person. I don’t own any firearms or any lethal weapons,” said Escajeda in the interview.
“I want them to know I apologize for what I said,” Escajeda said, adding his comment was “misunderstood.”
Garcia signed a protection order that specified he must stay 100 yards away from the church and that he cannot talk to the person who called police.
The church, which was founded in 1921, canceled a Nov. 1 All Saints Day mass at the parish at 293 H St. as a precaution. The All Saints Day is in remembrance of family, friends, and others who have passed away. The church also has a school.
His attorney has said his $100,000 bail is too high and will ask a judge to lower it on Nov. 9. If he is able to post bond, Escajeda would be barred from attending the church as long as the restraining order is in effect. A Nov. 15 preliminary hearing was set.
