A 25-year-old man who allegedly tried to re-enter a church carrying a tactical rifle has been charged with possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the Northern District of Texas.
Russell Alan Ragsdale was arrested on Friday and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renée Harris Toliver on Monday.
Incident at the Church
Court documents state that on November 2, Mr. Ragsdale entered a church at 5:05 p.m., where approximately 100 parishioners were attending mass. After sitting in the front row, he approached the priest two minutes later, embraced him, kissed him on both cheeks, and handed him a note reading, “may peace be with you.” He left the church at 5:13 p.m.
Shortly after, Mr. Ragsdale allegedly retrieved a rifle from his car while wearing a black and white poncho and closed three parking lot gates. At 5:35 p.m., he attempted to re-enter the church with the rifle but was unable to gain access because the parishioners had locked the doors.
A parishioner engaged Mr. Ragsdale in conversation outside the church for six minutes until police arrived. The responding officer seized the rifle and noted the odor of alcohol on Mr. Ragsdale. His girlfriend told authorities he was a parishioner at the church and occasionally used medication to help him sleep.
Past Allegations and Evidence
During the investigation, agents uncovered details about a 2022 murder case involving Mr. Ragsdale. He had been arrested on February 3, 2022, in Seagoville for the felony murder of his roommate, a case that was later dismissed. Mr. Ragsdale claimed self-defense, stating his roommate attacked him and that he “shot him many times.” Law enforcement recovered three firearms, including an AR-15 rifle, and nearly two grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms from the residence.
A forensic analysis of Mr. Ragsdale’s phone revealed a history of drug use dating back to November 2021, with records indicating he purchased and used hallucinogenic mushrooms. On February 2, 2022, one day before his roommate’s death, Mr. Ragsdale reportedly told a friend he consumed “2gs” of potent mushrooms.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Sentence
If convicted, Mr. Ragsdale faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, Dallas Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Seagoville Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jongwoo Chung is leading the prosecution.
A criminal complaint is an allegation, and Mr. Ragsdale is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
