Member of Springfield mosque threatened to 'kill everyone there,' police say

Police say a member of a mosque in Springfield threatened to kill everyone at the building because they were protecting his abused partner.

Richard McLendon, 39, was charged Wednesday with communicating a terrorist threat. He is being held in the Greene County Jail without bond.

According to a probable cause statement, a leader of the Islamic Center of Springfield came to the Springfield Police Department headquarters on Sunday to tell officers about a situation involving two of his members.

The leader allegedly said one of his members accused McLendon of abusing her and asked for the mosque leaders to help arrange a safe place for her to stay, which they did.

Crime:Springfield police officer dragged by suspect in van

The leader said McLendon then contacted him and got upset about the situation. At one point, the statement says McLendon threatened to come to the mosque and "kill everyone there."

McLendon went on to say he had nothing to lose and "you won't see it coming," according to the statement.

The statement says McLendon's partner went on to tell police McLendon had abused her and she was afraid of him due to his military background and statements he had made about building bombs if police ever came for him.

The Springfield Police Department's Special Response Team arrested McLendon on Tuesday at his home in the 1600 block of North Patterson Avenue.

Crime:Police investigate shooting that injured woman in line at gas station

Police believe McLendon erased the data on his phones before he was arrested.

Prosecutors say McLendon is a persistent felony offender with prior convictions for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and failing to register as a sex offender.

McLendon is being held in the Greene County Jail and does not have an attorney listed for this case.

The terrorist threat charge carries a possible 7-year prison sentence.

Springfield:A homeless man was beaten and left naked. His attacker is going headed to prison