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Nathaniel McGuire, 20, was charged by federal officials last
week with maliciously damaging a building with an explosive.
Santa Barbara County prosecutors are charging him with 10
counts, including two counts of attempted murder, use of an
explosive device with the intent to murder, and carrying a
loaded firearm.
He is also being charged with arson of forest land in connection
with three fires that occurred on the outskirts of Santa Maria,
a city of about 110,000 in California’s central coast region,
that officials say were set in preparation for the courthouse
attack.
It was not immediately known whether McGuire had an attorney for
his local charges. His federal public defender Iboh Umodu
declined to comment on his federal case. His family did not
respond to calls or messages for comment.
McGuire was arrested Sept. 25 at the Santa Maria Courthouse
where he was about to be arraigned on an illegal gun possession
charge when an explosion damaged the building and injured five
people. Authorities said McGuire threw a bag into the courthouse
lobby that exploded and he left the building on foot. He was
arrested as he was trying to get into his car, which was parked
nearby.
Authorities said they later found ammunition, a rifle, a
suspected bomb, fireworks and 10 Molotov cocktails inside the
car and other materials used in making explosives during a
search of McGuire’s home.
In a federal court filing, federal authorities said McGuire told
law enforcement after his arrest that he had gone to the
courthouse planning to kill deputies working at the security
desk. Authorities said he told them he planned to go back to the
car to get several loaded firearms and reenter the courthouse to
kill a judge.
At his arraignment last Friday, he had an outburst where he
yelled about world events and blamed the U.S. government. He
said he had no rights and was “censored” from speaking out.
“You guys are the real criminals,” McGuire shouted, appearing
visibly distressed as his defense attorney tried to calm him
down.
McGuire is being held without bail in federal custody. After his
federal case, he will be transported back to Santa Barbara
County to face the additional charges.
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