Arizona man accused of plotting mass casualty attack on religious site with 'cookbook' tied to OKC bombing

Prosecutors accuse Matthew Bjornholt of planning a mass-casualty attack at a religious site. The alleged plan combined explosives and firearms. It matters because prosecutors described a coordinated attack designed to continue after an initial blast, potentially increasing the number of victims.

According to prosecutor Stephen Garcia, Bjornholt allegedly planned to detonate bombs first. An accomplice would then use firearms to begin “picking off people,” including survivors. Investigators later seized three guns and ammunition from Bjornholt’s home, but the article does not say that explosives were found there.

The possible targets were described broadly as Jewish or Muslim houses of worship. The article does not identify a particular synagogue, mosque, or other site. It also remains unclear whether a real accomplice existed. Bjornholt’s attorney disputes the account, calling it unverified hearsay from a former acquaintance. The case is scheduled to continue through court hearings in October.

The Anarchist Cookbook is described in the article as a manual containing bomb-making instructions. Its significance comes from the connection prosecutors drew between the book and Bjornholt’s alleged plan to use explosives against a religious site. Possessing a controversial book alone does not establish that someone planned a crime, but prosecutors presented it as part of the broader accusation.

Stephen Garcia alleged that Bjornholt kept a copy and referred to it as his “Bible.” Prosecutors also described a plan involving bombs, firearms, and an accomplice who would attack survivors. Investigators seized three guns and ammunition at Bjornholt’s home. The article does not say that bomb-making materials were found there.

The defense challenged the prosecution’s interpretation. Chad Schell said the case relied on hearsay from a disgruntled former acquaintance. He also said the FBI searched Bjornholt’s home, reviewed his electronic devices, and found no evidence of terrorism or bomb-making materials. The judge still found enough probable cause for the case to proceed.

Investigators said they found three guns and ammunition at Matthew Bjornholt’s home. Those items became part of prosecutors’ argument that he posed a danger and may have been preparing for violence. The article does not state that investigators found bombs, explosives, or bomb-making equipment in the house.

The weapons-related evidence was presented alongside allegations of a planned attack involving explosives and firearms. Prosecutors claimed an accomplice would use guns after bombs were detonated. Bjornholt’s defense attorney, Chad Schell, offered a different interpretation. He said the guns were lawfully possessed and that the ammunition amounted to no more than standard magazine loads.

The discovery did not resolve the case. Prosecutors sought a $500,000 cash bond, while the defense argued that the evidence was weak and based on hearsay. The judge set bond at $100,000 but found enough probable cause to move forward. A status conference and preliminary hearing were scheduled for October.

The article identifies The Anarchist Cookbook as a bomb-making manual linked to Timothy McVeigh, who is described as the Oklahoma City bomber. That association gives the book a particularly alarming reputation in a case involving alleged plans to use explosives against a religious site. It helps explain why prosecutors highlighted the alleged copy.

The article provides two connected details. It says the manual contains bomb-making instructions and is linked to McVeigh. Prosecutor Stephen Garcia allegedly said Bjornholt possessed a copy and called it his “Bible.” The article does not state that McVeigh wrote the book, that he relied on it, or exactly how the connection was established.

That distinction matters legally and factually. A book’s reputation or alleged possession is not, by itself, proof of an attack plan. The defense argued that the case rested on hearsay and said the FBI found no terrorism or bomb-making evidence. The judge nevertheless found enough probable cause for the case to continue.

Prosecutors relied on several pieces of alleged evidence. Stephen Garcia said Bjornholt described a detailed plan involving bombs, firearms, and an accomplice. Garcia also cited the alleged copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, Bjornholt’s reported description of it as his “Bible,” three guns, ammunition, and criminal history when seeking a $500,000 cash bond.

The defense disputed both the source and meaning of that evidence. Chad Schell said the accusations came from a disgruntled former acquaintance who had briefly stayed at Bjornholt’s home. Schell called the account unverified hearsay. He also said the guns were lawfully possessed and the ammunition was only standard magazine loads.

Schell further said the FBI had searched the home, received access to Bjornholt’s devices and passwords, and found no evidence of terrorism or bomb-making materials. He said federal investigators did not bring charges. The judge noted the state’s preliminary evidence relied heavily on hearsay, reduced the bond to $100,000, but found enough probable cause to continue the case.

Probable cause is a preliminary legal threshold. It means the available information gives a reasonable basis to believe a crime may have occurred and the accused may be connected to it. It is lower than the proof required to convict someone. In this case, the judge found enough probable cause for the case to move forward.

The judge could reach that conclusion while recognizing weaknesses in the evidence. According to the article, the state’s preliminary showing relied heavily on hearsay. Prosecutors described an alleged attack plan, the alleged possession of The Anarchist Cookbook, and guns and ammunition found at Bjornholt’s home. The defense challenged those claims and said the FBI found no terrorism evidence.

A probable-cause finding does not decide whether Bjornholt is guilty. It allows the legal process to continue so evidence can be tested through later proceedings. The judge set bond at $100,000 rather than the $500,000 requested. Bjornholt was scheduled for a status conference on October 22 and a preliminary hearing on October 26.

Setting bond addresses whether the accused may remain free under court conditions or stay detained while the case proceeds. Finding probable cause allows the prosecution to continue pursuing the charge. Neither decision determines guilt. The court must still handle later hearings and evaluate the evidence under higher legal standards.

In Bjornholt’s case, the judge set bond at $100,000 after prosecutors requested $500,000. The judge also found enough probable cause to move the case forward, despite saying the state’s preliminary evidence relied heavily on hearsay. The charge described in the article is making a terrorist threat.

The next listed steps were a status conference on October 22 and a preliminary hearing on October 26. At those proceedings, the court can address the case’s status and examine whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to proceed. The article does not state what happened at either hearing or whether additional charges were filed.