The suspect is in custody.
A Memphis man, Zachary Liberto, has been taken into custody after allegedly sending a threatening email to the choir director at St. Louis Catholic Church. In the message, he reportedly warned that he would harm individuals at the church with a machete if his demand for a video of someone being slapped was not met. Liberto is now facing terrorism-related charges and is being held on a $200,100 bond.
The church’s music director, one of the individuals targeted, forwarded the email to law enforcement, prompting an investigation. Court records indicate that authorities traced the email to an address previously linked to Liberto. Police also noted that he is known to carry a machete, which he refers to as “chete.”
Prior to sending the email, Liberto allegedly had a verbal dispute with the church’s pastor and vandalized the baptismal pool. Both the pastor and the music director reported the threats but were uncertain about what may have caused Liberto’s actions. They suspect that he may be struggling with mental health issues.
Investigators also obtained an audio recording in which Liberto expressed anger over being mocked and threatened, stating that he was prepared to accept the consequences of his actions. The Catholic Diocese of Memphis commended law enforcement for their quick response and assured the community that security measures are in place to ensure safety. They also shared that prayers are being offered for everyone affected by the incident.
Liberto is scheduled to appear in court as authorities continue their investigation into the case.