Charges: Austin Man Busted With Ghost Guns Discussed Bombing Gonda Building, State Capitol & Synagogue

Austin, MN (KROC-AM News)- An Austin man busted with a cache of illegal firearms discussed bombing a Mayo Clinic Building, the Minnesota State Capitol and other buildings. 

See Also: Felon Charged for Gun Incident at Rochester Apartment Complex 

That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Mower County Court. The case began last month when law enforcement took the report of a man experimenting with explosives. 

He had also indicated a willingness to shoot a police officer as means of escaping arrest, the complaint says. 

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22-Year-Old Austin Man Who Allegedly Discussed Bombing Mayo Clinic Busted With Multiple Ghost Guns

22-year-old Jonathan Julio Nique is charged with eight counts of possession of a firearm without a serial number. 

Law enforcement learned he had approximately 30 firearms in his garage and what appeared to be a pipe bomb, the court document says. 

Nique had previously injured his hand after a medicine bottle containing a metal cylinder and match shavings melted in his hand, the charges say. 

Officers also learned Nique had made comments about “hypothetically” bombing the Mayo Clinic Gonda Building, Olmsted County Government Center, Minnesota State Capitol and a synagogue, the court document says. 

Nique had previously made racist comments, gone into detail about “what he would do to jewish people” and held white nationalist views, the complaint alleges. 

On May 28, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Nique’s home in the 800 block of 14th Ave. Southeast while Nique was attending a court hearing. The charges list the items seized. 

Inside authorities found multiple firearms and a large stash of ammunition. Eight of the guns are considered to be “ghost guns” because they did not have serial numbers, the complaint says. 

Several of those guns were believed to have been made by a 3D printer, the charges say. Law enforcement also found the device described as a pipe bomb and determined it did not have any explosives inside of it. 

During the search, Nique was arrested at the Mower County Courthouse after a pair of 0.22 caliber bullets fell out of his jacket while he was being screened, the complaint says. 

In an interview with officers, Nique said he was joking about blowing up buildings, the court document says. 

Court records indicate Nique posted his $50,000 conditional bail last week. He’s due back in court next month.