Authorities in Arizona have accused a man of planning a mass casualty attack targeting a Jewish or Muslim house of worship, with prosecutors alleging he possessed a notorious bomb-making guide previously associated with the Oklahoma City bombing.
Matthew Bjornholt, 27, is charged with a felony count of making a terrorist threat for his suspected scheme to attack a religious institution.
Maricopa County prosecutors assert that Bjornholt detailed a disturbing plan involving firearms, explosives, and a co-conspirator who would target survivors.
Allegations of a Detailed Plot
During his initial court appearance on Friday, prosecutor Stephen Garcia requested a $500,000 cash bond, arguing that Bjornholt posed an immediate threat to public safety.
According to Garcia, Bjornholt reportedly drew up elaborate plans for an assault on a religious location. The prosecutor also claimed the suspect possessed "The Anarchist Cookbook," a manual with instructions for creating explosives, known for its connection to Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber.
Garcia further alleged that Bjornholt referred to this book as his "Bible."
Prosecutors stated that the purported plot involved detonating bombs, after which an accomplice would begin "picking off people" with firearms.
Law enforcement officials subsequently confiscated three firearms and ammunition from Bjornholt’s residence.
Defense Challenges Prosecution's Claims
Bjornholt's defense attorney, Chad Schell, disputed these accusations, contending that the charges are founded entirely on uncorroborated hearsay provided by a displeased former acquaintance.
Schell informed the court that the initial tip originated from a "homeless alcoholic" whom Bjornholt had allowed to stay at his home for a short period before evicting him late the previous month.
Schell highlighted that federal authorities had already investigated these claims several weeks earlier. He stated that the FBI conducted a search of Bjornholt’s home on September 29, during which Bjornholt willingly provided investigators with his electronic devices and their corresponding passwords.
According to Schell, federal investigators discovered no evidence of terrorist activities or bomb-making components and consequently did not pursue federal charges. County authorities subsequently took over the case approximately two weeks later.
"There is no evidence he's a danger to the community. What is the evidence that he's a danger to the community? Some hearsay statements from some dude — that my client kicked out of his house two days before September 29," Schell argued before the court.
"Again, the FBI served a search warrant, got all of his electronic devices. He gave them access, gave him his passwords to those devices. They went through all of those electronic devices. They didn't see anything about terrorism. And FBI cut him loose," he added.
Schell further asserted that the three confiscated firearms were legally owned, noting that Bjornholt's civil rights had been reinstated after he completed a sentence for a prior drug charge. This drug charge originated from a first-degree murder case that was ultimately closed, with the murder charge against Bjornholt being dismissed due to insufficient evidence, according to his attorney.
The ammunition discovered in the home, Schell explained, amounted to nothing beyond standard magazine loads.
Judicial Decision and Upcoming Hearings
Although prosecutors referenced Bjornholt's criminal record to advocate for a higher bond, the judge determined that the state's initial evidence relied substantially on hearsay. Consequently, Bjornholt's bond was set at $100,000.
Nevertheless, the judge concluded there was sufficient probable cause to allow the case to proceed.
It has not been clarified whether the alleged plot identified specific houses of worship as targets or if a particular accomplice was involved.
Bjornholt is scheduled for a status conference on October 22 and a preliminary hearing on October 26.
