Federal authorities have filed charges against a 20-year-old Texas resident accused of launching a firebomb attack on the San Francisco home of artificial intelligence company CEO Sam Altman.
Daniel Moreno-Gama faces federal charges after surveillance cameras captured him lobbing an incendiary device at the residence of OpenAI’s chief executive, according to an FBI affidavit submitted to federal court Monday.
When San Francisco police took Moreno-Gama into custody, investigators say he was carrying a handwritten document expressing opposition to artificial intelligence technology.
The FBI stated that Moreno-Gama’s written manifesto, which authorities are using to establish his motive, included specific threats targeting Altman personally.
U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian indicated prosecutors may pursue domestic terrorism charges depending on the investigation’s findings. “We are only at the beginning of this investigation, but if the evidence shows that Mr. Moreno-Gama executed these attacks to change public policy or to coerce government and other officials, we will treat this as an act of domestic terrorism and together with our law enforcement partners prosecute him to the fullest extent allowed by law,” Missakian said in a statement.
The incident comes as OpenAI encounters increased examination over national security concerns, particularly regarding potential agreements allowing the government to utilize the company’s AI systems for classified defense purposes.
Prosecutors have charged Moreno-Gama with attempting to damage property using explosives and illegally possessing an unregistered weapon.
Authorities report that Moreno-Gama made the journey from Texas to California specifically to conduct these attacks. During his arrest, law enforcement confiscated several explosive devices, kerosene, and ignition equipment.
Court documents reveal that Moreno-Gama explicitly told OpenAI security staff at the company’s main office that he planned to set the facility ablaze and injure employees inside.
Should he be found guilty, Moreno-Gama could receive between five and 20 years imprisonment for the explosives-related charges, plus an additional decade behind bars for the firearms violation, according to federal sentencing guidelines.
