Matthew Bjornholt, a 27-year-old Arizona man, has been accused of plotting a mass casualty attack on a Jewish or Muslim house of worship. Prosecutors in Maricopa County have charged Bjornholt with a felony count of making a terrorist threat, alleging that he possessed an infamous bomb-making manual linked to the Oklahoma City bomber.
According to prosecutors, Bjornholt laid out a detailed plan for violence, which involved guns, explosives, and an accomplice who would gun down survivors. Prosecutors claim that Bjornholt referred to the bomb-making manual, known as "The Anarchist Cookbook," as his "Bible." The alleged plot included plans to detonate bombs before the accomplice would begin targeting people with firearms.
Bjornholt's defense attorney, Chad Schell, has pushed back against the allegations, claiming that the charges are based solely on unverified hearsay from a disgruntled former acquaintance. Schell argued that the tip came from a "homeless alcoholic" whom Bjornholt had briefly let crash on his couch before kicking him out. Schell also claimed that federal authorities had already investigated the claims weeks ago and found no evidence of terrorism or bomb-making materials.
The prosecution had sought a $500,000 cash bond, citing Bjornholt's alleged danger to the community. However, the judge set the bond at $100,000, finding that the state's preliminary evidence relied heavily on hearsay. Bjornholt is scheduled to return to court on October 22 for a status conference and then later for a preliminary hearing on October 26.
Prosecutors have seized three guns and ammunition from Bjornholt's home, but Schell argued that the guns were lawfully possessed and that the ammunition was no more than standard magazine loads. Bjornholt's civil rights were restored after completing a previous sentence on a drug charge stemming from a closed first-degree murder case.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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