Arizona Man Charged Over Alleged Plot to Attack a Mosque or Synagogue
CHANDLER, Ariz. — A 27-year-old Chandler man faces a charge of making a terroristic threat. Prosecutors allege he told someone he planned a "mass attack" with bombs and guns on a "Jewish or Muslim location," according to court records reported by 12News. Matthew Bjornholt was arrested on Oct. 16 after the FBI received a tip. He has not been convicted, and his lawyer disputes the allegations.
Prosecutors have not said which house of worship, if any, was the target. AZFamily reported that it remains unclear which Maricopa County sites were allegedly targeted. FOX 10 Phoenix reported that it is also unclear whether an accomplice exists.
What prosecutors allege
On Sept. 29, the FBI received a tip that Bjornholt was allegedly threatening to carry out an attack, according to court records cited by 12News. The person who reported him told authorities that his family believed an attack was "imminent." Bjornholt allegedly told a friend he planned to attack a synagogue or mosque during the next major religious holiday, KJZZ reported. KJZZ also reported that he has suspected ties to white supremacists.
In court, prosecutors alleged that once bombs went off, an accomplice would start "picking off people," AZFamily and FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Prosecutors also said Bjornholt called "The Anarchist Cookbook," a book with instructions for making explosives, his "Bible." Police said they found three firearms and instructions for making explosives when they searched his home, according to KJZZ.
Lance Leising, a former supervisory FBI special agent, told AZFamily that investigations like this one "are among the most serious investigations that the FBI or law enforcement investigates" because of the potential for mass casualties.
The defense disputes the case
Bjornholt's defense attorney told the court that the case rests on hearsay from a former acquaintance whom Bjornholt had let sleep on his couch and then kicked out in late September, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. The attorney said the FBI searched Bjornholt's home on Sept. 29, that Bjornholt gave agents his devices and passwords, and that federal authorities chose not to file charges before county prosecutors took over the case. He also said the three guns were legally owned and that no bomb-making materials were found.
Prosecutors asked for a $500,000 cash bond. The judge found probable cause for the charge but said the state's early evidence relied heavily on hearsay, according to FOX 10 Phoenix, and set bond at $100,000 instead. AZFamily reported that the release conditions include pretrial supervision with electronic monitoring, no contact with victims or witnesses, and no weapons.
Bjornholt is scheduled to return to court for a status conference on Oct. 22 and a preliminary hearing on Oct. 26, FOX 10 Phoenix reported.
A separate federal case in California
In an unrelated case, federal prosecutors in Sacramento announced on Oct. 20 that Lo Saetern, 35, of Sacramento, has been indicted on charges of making interstate threats, making threats involving explosives and possessing ammunition as a prohibited person. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, court documents say that between Sept. 15 and Sept. 21 he posted numerous threats on YouTube about building a bomb and killing children at a nearby church, and about carrying out a mass shooting against Muslims. BNO News reported that the church is in Elk Grove and that one post read, "Let's carry out a mass shooting against all Muslims and anyone who supports Islam."
Prosecutors said investigators found ammunition at his home, along with bags of sulfur powder and charcoal powder that can be combined with potassium nitrate to make black powder, an explosive. The charges are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, the U.S. Attorney's Office noted.
How mosques can prepare
In both cases, the threats reached law enforcement before anyone was hurt. That is the first lesson for every mosque and house of worship: notice, report and prepare. Here are practical steps any congregation can take now.
Know your local police contact. Make sure your board and volunteers know who to call at your local police department, and report any threat right away, whether it comes online, by phone or in person. Save screenshots, messages and voicemails.
Post greeters at the doors. Have greeters at the entrances during daily prayers, Friday prayers and larger events. A warm welcome for every visitor also means someone is watching who comes in.
Keep exits clear. Keep every exit clear and clearly marked, and make sure regular worshippers know where the exits are.
Check cameras and lighting. Make sure cameras work, are recording and cover entrances and parking areas, and that outdoor lighting leaves no dark spots.
Train volunteers. Teach volunteers how to spot and report suspicious behavior, and who to tell when something feels wrong.
Security grants for Maryland congregations
The federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, run by FEMA, funds target hardening and other physical security improvements for nonprofits at high risk of attack, including houses of worship. FEMA announced its fiscal year 2026 awards on Sept. 28. Congregations that want to apply in the next round should contact their State Administrative Agency early, since it sets its own deadline ahead of FEMA's. Nonprofits in Montgomery and Prince George's counties apply through the National Capital Region urban area.
Maryland's Protecting Against Hate Crimes grant, run by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, helps nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, pay for security at facilities at risk of hate crimes. In August the state announced $10 million in fiscal 2027 awards to 116 organizations. The application deadline for this cycle was April 24, 2026, so congregations should watch for the next round.
Montgomery County nonprofits have a deadline coming up. The county's FY27 Nonprofit Security Grant Program, run by the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, offers up to $15,000 per facility for security personnel, planning, training, drills, assessments and security cameras. Applications are due Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. through the county's Euna Grants platform.
"Mosques and synagogues stand side by side in this, and so should our communities. No family should have to wonder whether it is safe to pray. We urge every congregation in Maryland to get to know their local police, train their volunteers, and apply for the security grants available to them, including Montgomery County's, due October 29," said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation.
Why it matters
Mosques and synagogues are meant to be open doors. Prosecutors have not named a specific site in the Chandler case, but the alleged plan was aimed at a Jewish or Muslim house of worship. Being welcoming and being safe are not in conflict: a congregation that knows its neighbors, its exits and its local police is better prepared for whatever comes.
Sources: 12News (Oct. 19, 2026); KJZZ (Oct. 19, 2026); AZFamily (Oct. 18, 2026); FOX 10 Phoenix (Oct. 16, 2026); U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California (Oct. 20, 2026); BNO News (Oct. 20, 2026); FEMA; Maryland GOCPP; Office of Governor Wes Moore (Aug. 25, 2026); Montgomery County. Photos: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons; Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons; Cody Logan / Wikimedia Commons.
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