By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — An Arizona man accused of threatening a mass attack at a Jewish or Muslim site described “The Anarchist Cookbook” as his “Bible,” according to prosecutors.
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Matthew Bjornholt, 27, appeared in Maricopa County Superior Court Saturday morning on one count of making a terroristic threat.
Details of the alleged plot
State prosecutors alleged Bjornholt told another person in late September he was planning the attack, saying that after bombs went off, an accomplice would start “picking off people.”
Investigators reportedly found three firearms during a search of his home along with a copy of “The Anarchist Cookbook,” which includes instructions for making explosives.
The state requested a $500,000 cash bond, citing danger to the community and Bjornholt’s criminal history, including a first-degree murder charge in 2022 that was dismissed after he accepted a plea deal.
Prosecutors said the high bond amount was based on danger to the community, though they also noted Bjornholt had a history of failing to appear in court. The judge said that amount is typically reserved for homicide cases in initial appearance court.
Defense pushes back
Bjornholt’s attorney argued there was no evidence his client is a danger to the community or a flight risk, saying he made every court appearance in the dismissed murder case.
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He said the case relies on hearsay from a man who is no longer friends with Bjornholt after being kicked out of his house days earlier.
The attorney also disputed the allegations, saying the three guns were legally possessed after his rights were automatically restored following his first felony conviction. He said no bomb-making material was found, and there was only enough ammunition to fill the standard magazines.
Judge sets bond, release conditions
The judge set a $100,000 secured bond with pretrial supervision, including electronic monitoring and orders to have no contact with victims or witnesses, no weapons, no nonprescription drugs, no alcohol and no driving without a valid license.
No other specifics about the alleged threats were shared in court Saturday. Paperwork is expected to be filed Monday. It remains unclear which Maricopa County sites were allegedly targeted.
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