RIVERSIDE -- Prosecutors have approved charges of making terroristic threats against a man accused of threatening to bomb a Riverside church.
If convicted on the charges, Denver Vinson could get a maximum of 3 years on prison. Vinson was arrested after he posted something on his facebook page, allegedly saying he was going to bomb St. Helen's festival.
In an exclusive interview with ABC22 and Fox 45, Vinson's mother says his facebook comments were taken out of context.
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Riverside police arrested a man Wednesday for making terrorist threats. Denver Vinson is sitting in the Montgomery County Jail for allegedly using Facebook to threaten to blow up the St. Helenâs Parish Festival this weekend.
Police tell us one of Vinson's friends saw his post right here on Facebook. That friend called police and showed them this post, which reads in part, "St. Helens better have heavy security this year. I'm bombing all y'all."
He goes on to show his disregard by saying he's willing to "take a charge." In his post, he used several expletives and a racial slur.
Now, the churchâs festival is scheduled for this weekend at the parish on Burkhardt Road.
The priest of the church says they've been doing this festival with little to no problems for more than 50 years.
"At our festival, we have lots of security always; we beefed-up security," said the St. Helen Parish Pastor, David Brinkmoeller. "We don't want to have alcohol problems on the ground or any other problem so we have many security always, and Riverside police are going to give us a lot more support."
Brinkmoeller said he had never seen Denver Vinson before and doesn't believe he attends the church. Police say they expect about 200,000 people over the course of the weekend.
Police searched Vinson's home and the festival this morning and found no bomb-making materials. However, they did seize his computer as part of the investigation.
Vinson has not been formally charged.
Coming up tonight on ABC 22 at 11, hear how festival-goers are reacting to this post.