LAX Leader

A Santa Barbara County man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint for allegedly carrying out a bomb attack at a courthouse in Santa Maria, injuring five people. Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, faces charges of maliciously damaging a building using explosives.

McGuire was arrested shortly after the incident on Wednesday and is expected to make his initial appearance Friday afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, McGuire entered the Santa Barbara County Superior Court on September 25 and threw a bag into the lobby. The bag exploded, injuring at least five people present at the time. McGuire left the courthouse on foot but was apprehended by Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies while trying to access a red Ford Mustang parked outside. He allegedly yelled that the government had taken his guns and urged people to fight and rebel.

Inside the car, deputies found ammunition, a flare gun, and fireworks. A subsequent search revealed more weapons, including a shotgun, rifle, additional ammunition, a suspected bomb, and 10 Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement rendered the bomb safe.

A search of McGuire’s residence uncovered an empty can with nails glued to it, matches, black powder, used and unused fireworks, and papers appearing to contain explosive material recipes.

“This defendant’s alleged misconduct was chilling,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Not only did he injure five people and traumatize many more, but he possessed a cache of weapons that would have allowed him to wreak even greater destruction had he not been stopped.”

“The idea of intentionally setting off an explosive device to do harm and avoid justice in the process shocks the conscience,” said Akil Davis from the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Make no mistake, we are committed to holding Mr. McGuire accountable for this blatant act of violence.”

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown also commented on the incident: “This was a shocking and unprecedented crime in our county...we are proud of their resolute actions that almost certainly prevented further violence.”

A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

If convicted, McGuire faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and could receive up to 40 years.

The FBI and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Takla and Kathrynne N. Seiden are prosecuting this case with assistance from Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.