San Diego Man Charged with Threatening Letter to Temecula Mosque, Ghost Gun Seized

A 60‑year‑old San Diego County resident, Louis White of Warner Springs, has been charged in federal court for mailing a menacing letter to the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley in Riverside County. The complaint, filed on Thursday, September 7, 2026, holds White in a Riverside County jail while authorities prepare to transfer him to federal custody.

The mosque received a threatening missive on August 26 that read, “I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY TO KILL EVERY ONE OF YOU, IT CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH!” The letter also carried a hand‑drawn illustration of crosshairs surrounding a bearded face, with X‑shaped eyes and a hat emblazoned with the word “Allah” followed by an expletive. Law enforcement traced the mail back to White.

A search of White’s home on August 29 uncovered several firearms, including an AR‑15‑style short‑barreled rifle that lacked a serial number. The weapon is classified as a “ghost gun,” a privately manufactured firearm that does not carry a federal serial number and is not sold through a licensed dealer. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the Temecula Police Department, seized the gun.

White is currently held in state custody. According to the federal complaint, a conviction could result in a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barr Benyamin of the Central District of California.

The United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating the mailing of the letter, while the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Temecula Police Department handle the local aspects of the investigation. The Islamic Center of Temecula Valley reported the threat to law enforcement on the day the letter was received.

The federal complaint remains an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. No statements from White or his legal counsel appear in the complaint.

Threats directed at religious institutions fall under federal statutes that prohibit the use of the mail system to send threatening or harassing communications. The case highlights the USPS Inspection Service’s role in safeguarding the integrity of the mail system.

The seizure of a ghost gun adds a firearms dimension to the matter. Because ghost guns are not subject to the serial‑number tracking requirements that apply to commercially manufactured firearms, lawmakers and law‑enforcement officials have raised concerns about the potential for untraceable weapons to be used in violent crimes.

White’s alleged actions bring together hate‑based threats, firearms possession, and the federal mail system in a single case. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional charges have been announced.

The Islamic Center of Temecula Valley has not issued a statement regarding the incident. Its leadership has expressed concern about the threat but has not detailed any changes to security protocols.

This case joins several recent federal prosecutions involving threats to religious communities, underscoring the continued vigilance of federal and local law‑enforcement agencies in addressing hate‑based threats and protecting the mail system.

As the investigation proceeds, the federal court will determine whether the evidence supports a conviction. Until then, White remains in custody, and the case remains pending.

The federal complaint was filed in the Central District of California, which has jurisdiction over San Diego and Riverside counties. The case will be heard in that district, and any sentencing would occur under federal guidelines.

The investigation demonstrates the cooperation between federal, state, and local agencies in addressing threats that cross jurisdictional boundaries. The outcome of the case will likely influence how similar threats are prosecuted in the future.

At this time, no further information is available about potential witnesses, additional evidence, or the timeline for White’s transfer to federal custody.

The case remains under active investigation, and updates will be provided as they become available.