Central Coast man arrested in Santa Maria courthouse bombing, now faces federal criminal charges

A Central Coast man accused of a bombing that injured five people at the Santa Maria courthouse appears to be facing federal prosecution.

According to federal prosecutors, Nathaniel McGuire has been charged with malicious damage to a building with explosives. The 20-year-old Santa Maria man was arrested at the courthouse shortly after the explosion Wednesday morning. He will appear in federal court in Los Angeles this afternoon to face the charges.

According to investigators, McGuire entered the courthouse and threw a bag into the lobby, which exploded. Five people were injured, fortunately no one was seriously injured.

They say they recovered weapons, ammunition and a number of improvised explosive devices from his car, as well as related materials from his home. Prosecutors believe the attack stemmed from McGuire's anger over his arrest in July on firearms charges.

He was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday over the summer incident.