Arizona Man Charged with Terror Threat Over Planned Attack on House of Worship
Matthew Bjornholt, 27, is charged with a felony terrorist-threat count after prosecutors say he plotted a bomb and gun assault on a Jewish or Muslim house of worship and possessed The Anarchist Cookbook.
In Arizona, 27-year-old Matthew Bjornholt faces a felony charge of making a terrorist threat after prosecutors claim he plotted a mass-casualty attack on a Jewish or Muslim house of worship, detailing a scheme that combined bombs and a gunman to target survivors. Prosecutor Stephen Garcia said Bjornholt kept a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, calling it his "Bible," and asked for a $500,000 cash bond, labeling him a community danger.
The judge, noting the reliance on hearsay, reduced the bond to $100,000 but found sufficient probable cause to proceed. Defense lawyer Chad Schell contended the accusations stem from an unreliable tip by a former homeless guest and highlighted a prior FBI search on September 29 that yielded no terrorist evidence, despite the seizure of three firearms and standard ammunition. He also noted Bjornholt’s civil rights had been restored after a prior drug conviction linked to a dismissed murder charge. Bjornholt is slated for a status conference on Oct. 22 and a preliminary hearing on Oct. 26.
Why it matters
The case highlights concerns about domestic terrorism and the challenges of prosecuting alleged plots against religious communities.
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