A 27-year-old Arizona man accused of plotting a mass-casualty attack on a Jewish or Muslim place of worship has been ordered to post a $100,000 cash bond after appearing in court in Chandler.
Matthew Bjornholt faces one felony count of making a terrorist threat. Prosecutors told a Maricopa County court that he had discussed using explosives and firearms in an attack, with an accomplice allegedly expected to shoot people who survived the initial blast.
Prosecutor Stephen Garcia had sought a $500,000 cash bond, describing Bjornholt as an imminent danger to the community. The judge found there was sufficient probable cause for the case to proceed, but noted that the preliminary evidence relied heavily on hearsay.
Garcia said Bjornholt had described The Anarchist Cookbook — a notorious manual containing bomb-making instructions — as his “Bible”. Prosecutors also alleged that his plan involved detonating bombs before an accomplice began “picking off people” with guns.
Investigators later seized three firearms and ammunition from Bjornholt’s home, according to the prosecution’s account presented at the hearing. The judge also ordered mandatory electronic monitoring as a condition of release.
Defence challenges account from former acquaintance
Bjornholt’s lawyer, Chad Schell, strongly disputed the allegations and argued that the case was based on unverified claims made by a disgruntled former acquaintance.
Schell told the court that the tipster was a man Bjornholt had briefly allowed to sleep on his sofa before asking him to leave in late September. He described the source as a “homeless alcoholic” and suggested the allegations had been fabricated.
The defence said the FBI had searched Bjornholt’s home on 29 September after investigating the claims. According to Schell, Bjornholt handed over his electronic devices and passwords, but federal investigators found no bomb-making materials or evidence of terrorism and did not bring charges.
Schell also maintained that the firearms were legally possessed. He said Bjornholt’s civil rights had been restored after he completed a sentence for a drug offence linked to a previously closed first-degree murder case, in which the murder charge was dropped because of insufficient evidence.
The specific place of worship allegedly targeted has not been identified. It is also unclear whether an accomplice exists or whether investigators are seeking other suspects.
Bjornholt is due back in court for a status conference on 22 October, followed by a preliminary hearing on 26 October.
