Man charged in California courthouse explosion and also charged with three counts of arson

LOS ANGELES – A California man was hit with additional charges, including three local arson counts, in a courthouse bombing that injured five people, officials said Tuesday.

Nathaniel McGuire, 20, was charged by federal officials last week with maliciously damaging a building with an explosive. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is charging him with 10 counts, including two counts of attempted murder, using an explosive device with intent to murder and carrying a loaded firearm.

He is also charged with arson of forest land in connection with three fires on the outskirts of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 in California's central coastal region, that officials said were set in preparation for the attack on the courthouse.

It was not immediately known whether McGuire had an attorney for his local charges. His federal defense attorney, Iboh Umodu, declined to comment on his federal case. His family did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment.

McGuire was arrested Sept. 25 at the Santa Maria courthouse, where he was to be arraigned on illegal weapons possession charges, when an explosion damaged the building and injured five people. Authorities said McGuire threw a bag into the courthouse lobby, which exploded, and he left the building on foot. He was arrested as he tried to get into his car parked nearby.

Authorities said they later found ammunition, a rifle, a suspected bomb, fireworks and 10 Molotov cocktails in the car, as well as other materials used to make 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 went to the courthouse to kill officers working at the security desk. Authorities said he told them he planned to return to the car to retrieve several loaded firearms and re-enter the courthouse to kill a judge.

At his arraignment last Friday, he threw a tantrum in which he shouted about world events and blamed the U.S. government. He said he had no rights and was “censored” from speaking out.

“You are the real criminals,” McGuire shouted, appearing visibly distressed as his defense attorney tried to calm him down.

McGuire is being held in federal custody without bail. After his federal trial, he will be brought back to Santa Barbara County to face the additional charges.