A 23-year-old man, identified as Mario Bernal, has been arrested for ostensibly making threats against a Christian camp in Livingston, Texas. Bernal is a former employee of Camp Cho-Yeh, with law enforcement having been alerted of the situation yesterday morning. Bernal, whose address is listed in Vernal, Utah, is now facing charges including terroristic threat, according to jail records cited by FOX 26 Houston.
Bernal was arrested without incident after a Livingston Police Department officer spotted his car near the entrance of the camp on S. Washington. The arrest was part of a collaborative effort between the Livingston Police and Polk County Sheriff's Office, who had immediately begun to proactively patrol the area around the camp after obtaining the warrant for Bernal's arrest. Despite his capture, the details surrounding the alleged threats and the content found in his vehicle at the time of the arrest have not yet been disclosed to the public.
Following the arrest, Livingston Police Chief Matt Parrish emphasized the gravity with which such threats are treated, stating, "Threats to this community, especially involving our children, will always be taken seriously." This sentiment echoes the police department's commitment to community safety, particularly where the welfare of children is concerned. "I commend the quick and thorough investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, as well as the response by our officers," Parrish added in a statement obtained by KHOU.
While Bernal remains in custody at the Polk County Jail, the Livingston Police Department has assured that there is no longer an immediate threat to the community, but will continue to patrol in and around the camp area. It's a situation that has gripped the local community, with one commenter on the Livingston Police Department Facebook page reflecting on Bernal's previous position at the camp: "There's got to be more to this story. Mario was our camp counselor. He was wonderful, and I'll never forget the impact he had on my nephew," they shared, as reported by FOX 26 Houston.
Meanwhile, Camp Cho-Yeh has communicated directly with families concerning the incident, reassuring them that the safety of their children is their utmost priority. "Earlier this morning, we became aware of some verbal threats made by a former employee involving himself and others at Camp. Law enforcement responded immediately and have taken him into custody. After thorough coordination with the authorities, we have been assured that there is no ongoing threat to campers or staff. Please know that your child's safety is - and always will be - our highest priority. Our team remains vigilant, and check-in will proceed as scheduled today," Camp Cho-Yeh stated in an important safety update sent to families, as noted by FOX 26 Houston.
