Already charged in federal court, the man accused of bombing Santa Maria Court Complex last week will face 10 criminal counts in Santa Barbara County including attempted murder, arson and more.
On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria.
The morning of Sept. 25, McGuire allegedly entered a Santa Maria court building and tossed a bag carrying an improved explosive device into the lobby, injuring at least five people and damaging the facility.
McGuire, who wore body armor, fled to his car in the parking lot, but was apprehended by security and law enforcement personnel.
Investigators found firearms, additional explosives, ammunition and fireworks in his vehicle and his residence in the Montiavo Apartments off Bradley Road.
On the morning of the explosion, McGuire was scheduled to be arraigned in court for a firearms-related charge.
Although they are within the city limits, the Santa Maria court facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, which spearheaded the investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation later joined the effort,
The newest criminal case against McGuire includes one count of attempted murder of a peace officer, identified as a sheriff’s deputy working as a bailiff at the complex, and another attempted murder charge with the victim identified as the Department 9 judge.
Other charges are explosion with intent to murder, terrorism, and explosion of a destructive device causing bodily injury, referring to a pair of victims identified as N. Ordaz and G. Hernandez.
Additionally, the criminal complaint accuses McGuire of three counts of arson for recent fires in the 7300 block of Palmer Road, 6800 block of Palmer Road and 2400 block of Tepusquet Road.
The District Attorney’s Office also charged him with misdemeanors of carrying a loaded firearm on one’s person or in a vehicle, and carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle. The weapons were a shotgun and a rifle, respectively.
Several special allegations, or sentencing enhancements, are included in the criminal complaint.
Last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged McGuire with malicious damage to a building by means of an explosive device.
His arraignment is scheduled for later this month in Los Angeles.
However, additional charges could be added to the federal case.
Federal prosecutors often convene a federal grand jury to consider the evidence which can lead to an indictment.
After initially being booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail, McGuire was transferred into federal custody late last week and is being held without bail.
The local criminal case will remain pending until any federal charges are adjudicated and McGuire is transported back to Santa Barbara County, the District Attorney’s Office said.
Santa Maria court operations restarted on Monday.
