Suspect in Santa Maria courthouse attack pleads not guilty to federal charges

A 20-year-old Santa Maria man pleaded not guilty in federal court Friday to charges related to the explosion at the Santa Barbara County Superior Courthouse in Santa Maria last month.

Nathaniel McGuire is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction, intentionally damaging a building with explosives and possessing an unregistered destructive device.

On Sept. 25, authorities say McGuire threw a bag into the courthouse lobby, detonating an explosive device that injured five people. It is alleged that he had an additional weapon in the car and planned to kill the judge.

McGuire was scheduled to appear in court that day after being arrested earlier this summer for a firearms violation.

A trial on the three federal charges is scheduled for December.

McGuire also faces multiple charges brought against him by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, including attempted murder, use of an explosive device with intent to kill, use of an explosive device for the purpose of terror, use of an explosive device causing bodily harm, arson with accelerant and possession loaded firearms.