LOS ANGELES
A Santa Barbara County man was charged Friday in a federal criminal complaint alleging he committed a bomb attack at a courthouse in Santa Maria on Wednesday, in which at least five people were injured.
Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, is charged with maliciously damaging a building using explosives.
McGuire, who was arrested Wednesday shortly after the attack, is expected to make his initial appearance Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on September 25, McGuire entered a Santa Barbara County Superior Court courthouse and threw a bag into the lobby. The bag exploded and McGuire left the courthouse on foot. The explosion injured at least five people who were present at the courthouse at that time.
As McGuire attempted to enter a red Ford Mustang car parked outside the building, law enforcement officers quickly apprehended and detained him.
McGuire allegedly yelled that the government had taken his guns and that everyone needed to fight, rise up, and rebel.
Inside the car, a deputy saw ammunition, a flare gun, and a box of fireworks. A search of the car revealed a shotgun, a rifle, more ammunition, a suspected bomb, and 10 Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement later rendered the bomb safe.
A search of McGuire’s residence revealed an empty can with nails glued to the outside, a duffel bag containing matches, black powder, used and unused fireworks, and papers that appeared to be recipes for explosive material.
“The idea of intentionally setting off an explosive device to do harm and avoid justice in the process shocks the conscience,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Make no mistake, we are committed to holding Mr. McGuire accountable for this blatant act of violence. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”
If convicted, McGuire would face a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison. McGuire is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The FBI and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Takla and Kathrynne N. Seiden of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.