Memphis police arrest man after allegedly threatening to ‘butcher’ churchgoers with a machete: police
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A man was arrested after police say he allegedly threatened to “butcher” church attendees at a Memphis Catholic Church.  

The Memphis Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Zachary Liberto, 30, was arrested following a verbal altercation with the priest about defacing the baptismal pool inside the church.

On Friday, officers responded to St. Louis Catholic Church on reports of a complaint from the priest and church’s music director about threats made by Liberto.

Officials said Liberto sent an email threatening to cause mass causalities among churchgoers. 

Memphis police

Memphis Police said a man was arrested after being involved in a verbal altercation  and allegedly sending an email to one of the victims threatening to cause “mass casualties” at the church. (Brad Vest/Getty Images)

Court records, obtained by FOX 13 Memphis, show that prominent local parishioners attend the church and could have been targeted for the mass causality threats. 

The records also showed that investigators obtained a recording from a parishioner who reportedly spoke to Liberto by phone in which Liberto said, he would not “let people threaten and mock” him and not do something about it.” 

Liberto has been charged with Commission Act of Terrorism and is being held on a $200,100 bond, according to jail records. 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

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