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

Arizona Man Charged with Plotting Terror Attack on Religious Site; FBI Says No Evidence Found

A 27‑year‑old Arizona resident has been charged with planning a mass‑casualty attack on a Jewish or Muslim place of worship in Maricopa County, prosecutors say. The case hinges on alleged instructions for bomb construction, possession of the notorious “Anarchist Cookbook,” and a blueprint for coordinated violence that would involve firearms and explosives.

Matthew Bjornholt, a Phoenix resident, was brought before a court on Friday following a search of his home conducted by the FBI on September 29. Prosecutors allege that Bjornholt, according to their statements, had a copy of the bomb‑making manual—once linked to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing—and described it as his “Bible.” They say he outlined a plan to detonate bombs at a religious site before an accomplice would begin shooting survivors.

The federal investigation, which began weeks earlier, reportedly found no evidence of terrorist activity or bomb‑making materials. The FBI, after executing a warrant at Bjornholt’s residence, examined his electronic devices, including his phone and laptop, and stated that no data supporting a terrorism plot was uncovered. The agency released Bjornholt after the search and the case was subsequently handed over to county authorities.

At the initial hearing, prosecutor Stephen Garcia sought a $500,000 cash bond, labeling Bjornholt an imminent danger to the community. The judge, however, set the bond at $100,000, citing the heavy reliance on hearsay and the lack of concrete evidence. Garcia maintained that the suspect’s alleged plan included the use of three firearms and ammunition seized from his home—three guns and what were described as “standard magazine loads.”

Bjornholt’s defense, led by attorney Chad Schell, disputed the charges as “unverified hearsay” stemming from a former acquaintance. Schell explained that the tip was provided by a homeless alcoholic whom Bjornholt had briefly allowed to stay on his couch before kicking the man out a couple of days before the FBI search. “There is no evidence he’s a danger to the community,” Schell told the court. He noted that the FBI had obtained all of Bjornholt’s electronic devices and passwords, searched them thoroughly, found nothing related to terrorism, and “cut him loose.”

Schell also highlighted Bjornholt’s prior criminal history. The Arizona man had a previous drug conviction and a first‑degree murder case that had been dropped due to insufficient evidence. He said the firearms seized were lawfully possessed and that Bjornholt’s civil rights were restored following his completion of the drug sentence.

The court acknowledged that, while the evidence at the time was largely circumstantial, there was sufficient probable cause to move the case forward. The judge ordered further proceedings, with Bjornholt scheduled to return for a status conference on October 22 and a preliminary hearing on October 26.

It remains unclear whether any specific house of worship was identified as a target, or whether an accomplice had been named. The alleged plot’s details were never disclosed to the public beyond the broad outlines provided by the prosecutors.

Maricopa County’s attorney’s office and the FBI’s Phoenix bureau have yet to respond to requests for comment. The case underscores the continuing vigilance over domestic extremist threats and the challenges of proving intent when evidence is limited to statements and possession of controversial literature.