Costa Mesa Man Charged Again for Threatening OC District Attorney

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A 63-year-old Costa Mesa man named Danny Bruce Richards has been charged with criminal threats and threatening public officials, both felonies, for allegedly making threats toward Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. This is not the first time Richards has been accused of making threats, as he was previously charged in 2022 for threatening Spitzer and his boss, but that case was ultimately dismissed.

Why it matters

Threats against public officials, especially those in positions of authority like the district attorney, are taken very seriously as they can disrupt the normal functioning of government and raise concerns about public safety. This case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with individuals who may have mental health issues and a history of making threats.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, the latest threats were allegedly made by Richards on February 9, 2026. In the previous 2022 case, Richards was accused of threatening Spitzer and his boss, Denis Bilodeau, who is now the mayor pro tem of the Orange City Council and president of the Orange County Water District. Richards allegedly asked an Adult Protective Services official if she had "a silencer" and made comments about taking out people in his way. The 2022 case was ultimately dismissed, but Richards was also charged with a misdemeanor count of making annoying telephone calls last year, for which he pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

• On February 9, 2026, Richards allegedly made the latest threats toward the district attorney.
• In July 2022, Richards was previously charged with threatening the district attorney and his boss, but that case was dismissed on July 23, 2022.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Danny Bruce Richards out on bail.