When agents arrested him, the defendant shouted that “the government took my guns and everyone should fight back, rise up and rebel.”
Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, who threw a bomb into a federal courthouse in California, is accused by the FBI of maliciously damaging a building with an explosive and injuring five people.
The FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a statement to report that Nathaniel McGuire, was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 25 shortly after the attack, and appeared Friday, Sept. 27 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“They threaten the safety of our communities.”
“The defendant will face justice in federal court for the alleged attack that injured at least five people and spread fear throughout a county courthouse and an entire community,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
“Attacks on our public institutions and our public servants threaten the safety of our communities and the rule of law itself. The Department of Justice will not tolerate these types of attacks,” he added.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on Sept. 25, McGuire entered a Santa Barbara County Superior Court courtroom 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 in the courthouse at the time.
An arsenal in his car
Shortly thereafter, McGuire was stopped by law enforcement officers as he attempted to gain access to a red Ford Mustang parked in front of the building. McGuire allegedly shouted that “the government took my guns and everyone must fight, rise up and rebel.”
In the statement they explained that inside the car, an officer saw ammunition, a flare gun and a box of fireworks. Upon search, a shotgun, a rifle, more ammunition, a suspected bomb and 10 Molotov cocktails were found. Law enforcement subsequently secured the bomb.
During a search of McGuire’s residence, officers found an empty can with nails taped to the outside, a duffel bag containing matches, black powder, used and unused fireworks and papers that appeared to be recipes for explosive material.
“This defendant’s alleged misconduct was chilling,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California.
He could have caused greater destruction
“Not only did he injure five people and traumatize many more, but he possessed an arsenal of weapons that would have allowed him to cause even greater destruction had he not been stopped. Attacks on our courts, law enforcement officers and other public servants are unacceptable, and it is essential that those who carry out such aggressions are prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he stressed.
For his part, FBI Los Angeles Field Office Assistant Director Akil Davis said, “The thought of intentionally setting off an explosive device to cause harm and avoid justice in the process shocks the conscience.”
“Make no mistake, we are committed to holding McGuire accountable for this blatant act of violence. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity that could pose a threat to public safety,” Davis said.
7 to 40 years in prison
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown shared that the suspect was arrested by a court security officer, along with a sheriff’s deputy, two California Highway Patrol officers and a district attorney investigator. He also said he was proud of the resolute actions that prevented further violence.
The FBI added in the statement that if McGuire is convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors. The FBI and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.