St. Thomas Fifth Avenue security guard Tristan Rodas allegedly makes death threats against persons connected with the parish

St. Thomas Fifth Avenue security guard Tristan Rodas, a convicted felon who has sold heroin to children, allegedly has begun making death threats to persons connected with the parish. Sources close to the matter tell Anglican Watch that the threats have been in the form of multiple voicemail messages.

Law enforcement officials are now involved.

Rodas’ alleged threats violate the law of several relevant states, including New Jersey, where he lives.

Additionally, because at least two of the phone calls have been made across state lines, Rodas’ actions may violate federal law (18 U.S.C. § 875) and thus be subject to investigation by the FBI and federal prosecution.

Rodas has a lengthy criminal record, including for selling heroin to minors and using a minor in the commission of a felony. He also has been charged with the illegal possession of weapons.

One former law enforcement official tells Anglican Watch that Rodas may have ties to criminal gangs. We have been unable to independently confirm this information.

Additionally, Rodas has tried to illegally purchase firearms from at least one private individual. This appears to be an attempt to sidestep the background checks that would ordinarily be associated with purchasing a weapon from a gun store.

As we previously reported, St. Thomas rector the Rev. Canon Carl Turner was notified in writing of Rodas’ criminal history in December 2024.

Earlier this week, Anglican Watch sent a short message to Turner and the St. Thomas wardens, Lloyd Stanford and Greg Zaffiro, demanding their resignation over this failure to protect the people and property of the parish.

We also believe that church COO Matthew Moretz needs to resign immediately.

Meanwhile, Rodas’ purported actions underscore the depth and breadth of the threat presented by the church’s failure to conduct background checks on personnel and its use of unlicensed security guards.

Anglican Watch believes Rodas’ alleged conduct reflects heightened risk for parishioners, the Choir School, diocesan staff, and others. We urge St. Thomas’ to take immediate action to ensure the safety of these persons and the physical facility, including ensuring that armed NYPD officers are present during services and other high-risk times.