PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) — A 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged with making bomb threats at a church in Parker.
Court records show the lead pastor of that church also experienced death threats. The bomb threats were made at the Crossroads Community Church in Parker in August and September.
FOX31 was told some 2,000 people attend Crossroad services each weekend.
A court affidavit identifies the suspect as Patrick Michael Sparks of Parker, who is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in the case. He is also facing stalking and harassment charges.
The church’s lead pastor, John Snyder, shared with FOX31 part of what he told the church family after the threats started coming in.
“We had received two bomb threats, and some people were aware of that, we let them know that we had the bomb threats, but the police and the FBI were involved, and they’d searched our building, found no device, and we felt we were protected. But we asked everyone to pray,” Snyder said.
A police arrest affidavit states that death threats were made against Snyder. FOX31 is told Sparks had attended the church for a little over a year, but had not been part of the church for the last six months.
According to court records, Sparks made a number of comments saying he was upset at the church for a variety of reasons, but a motive is not clear.
“The prosecutors are going to need to prove these communications came from the individual who’s charged,” FOX31 Legal Analyst Christopher Decker said.
Court records show the threats were made through emails and through comments on a church service live stream. The threats come at a time when churches are on high alert across the country.
“You can imagine, given what’s taken place in current events, to have the allegations that there are bombs at a place of worship that has to be treated seriously,” said 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler.
A court affidavit also states Sparks drove to the church parking lot at one point, but was spotted by an off-duty police officer and was later issued a notice for trespassing.
FOX31 reached out to the attorney representing Sparks, but so far, we have not yet heard back from her. Sparks is scheduled to appear for another hearing at the Douglas County Courthouse in a couple of weeks.
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