Arizona Man Faces Terror Charge in Alleged Worship-Site Plot, Gets $100,000 Bond
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 19
Arizona Man Faces Terror Charge in Alleged Worship-Site Plot, Gets $100,000 Bond
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 19
Summary
Matthew Bjornholt, 27, was charged in Maricopa County with making a terrorist threat after prosecutors said he planned a mass-casualty attack on a Jewish or Muslim house of worship.
Prosecutors said the alleged plan called for bombs, firearms and an accomplice to shoot survivors, and that Bjornholt possessed “The Anarchist Cookbook”; investigators also seized three guns and ammunition from his home.
A judge set bond at $100,000—well below the $500,000 cash bond prosecutors sought—while finding probable cause but noting the state’s early case relied heavily on hearsay.
Defense lawyer Chad Schell said the accusation came from a disgruntled former acquaintance and that an FBI search on Sept. 29 found no bomb materials or terrorism evidence, leading federal authorities not to file charges.
Authorities have not identified a specific house of worship or accomplice, and Bjornholt is due back in court on Oct. 22 and Oct. 26.