The bombing suspect pleads not guilty in court in Santa Maria

Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, was federally charged with using a weapon of mass destruction in the September 25 attack

Santa Maria resident Nathaniel McGuire is accused of throwing an “improvised explosive device” into the county courthouse on Sept. 25, which detonated next to Department 9, where he was scheduled to be arraigned that morning on a firearms offense charge. | Source: Courtesy

Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, pleaded not guilty on October 25 to all three federal charges brought against him by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for allegedly throwing an explosive device into the Santa Maria courthouse on September 25. He remains in federal custody without bail.

Santa Maria resident Nathaniel McGuire, 20, was booked into the Northern Branch Jail on Wednesday, September 25, where he is being held without bail. | Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

Some October 23 federal grand jury indictment charged McGuire with using weapons of mass destruction and possession of unregistered destructive devices, as well as with an initial Sept. 26 charge of maliciously damaging a building with explosives. The suspect is represented by two California public defenders, Eric Choi and Iboh Umodu.

On September 25, McGuire allegedly threw a bag containing an explosive device into the Santa Barbara County Superior Courthouse in Santa Maria, which exploded in the lobby, injuring at least five people. McGuire was scheduled to be arraigned that day in connection with a July firearms violation.

After the device exploded, McGuire tried to get to his car parked outside, which authorities later discovered contained another suspected bomb, a firearm and ammunition. Officers detained the suspect before he could reach his vehicle. A subsequent search of his Santa Maria home revealed an apparent recipe for creating explosives, including matches, black powder and fireworks.

McGuire’s trial will begin on December 17. If convicted of all three charges, McGuire could face seven years to life in federal prison. McGuire is also fighting back 10 charges from the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office – including three cases of arson allegedly committed hours before the attack – which we will address once we review the federal charges.