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A California man has admitted bombing a courthouse and planning an even deadlier follow-up attack.
Nathaniel James McGuire, 22, of Santa Maria, pleaded guilty Monday to two federal charges. They include using a weapon of mass destruction and destroying a building with an explosive.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, McGuire bombed the Santa Maria courthouse in September 2024. The building serves the Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Bomb Thrown Past Courthouse Security
McGuire entered the courthouse carrying a backpack containing an explosive device. He threw it past the security checkpoint toward Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies.
The backpack slid between a victim’s legs before exploding outside a courtroom.
Five people went to the hospital and were released that day. Three suffered physical injuries. McGuire admitted that he intended to kill the deputies.
But the bombing was only the first part of his plan.
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After the explosion, McGuire returned to his vehicle. He planned to retrieve two long guns and 10 Molotov cocktails, according to his plea agreement.
Prosecutors said he intended to reenter the courthouse, kill deputies and “splatter,” or kill, a judge. A courthouse security guard and several law enforcement officers stopped him at the vehicle.
The explosion caused roughly $35,000 in damage. It also forced the courthouse to close for several days.
Retaliation Over Seized Firearm
McGuire admitted that retaliation was his motive. He blamed the government for several perceived wrongs, including deputies seizing his firearm earlier that year.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office previously said deputies arrested McGuire on July 28, 2024. He allegedly possessed a loaded, concealed revolver that was not registered to him.
His arraignment in that firearm case was scheduled for the morning of the courthouse attack.
Investigators later searched McGuire’s home and found additional bomb-making materials. McGuire has remained in federal custody since September 2024. His sentencing is scheduled for March 1, 2027.
He faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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