FBI raids Texas home connected to suspect in arson attack at OpenAI CEO's house

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The FBI raided a Houston-area home Monday connected to the suspect accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s house in California, officials said. 

20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama is facing multiple charges following two incidents. 

Molotov cocktail thrown at OpenAI CEO's house

The backstory:

San Francisco police are investigating an arson attack involving a Molotov cocktail at Altman's home last week. Authorities confirmed that Moreno-Gama was taken into custody shortly after.

Investigators say the fire occurred at an exterior gate and had "self-extinguished" by the time officers arrived. Police recovered evidence of an incendiary device at the scene. No injuries were reported.

Officials stated that after throwing a Molotov cocktail at the CEO's residences, Moreno-Gama allegedly went to the headquarters of the CEO's AI company. Moreno-Gama attempted to break the glass doors of the building with a chair and stated he had come to burn down the location and kill anyone inside. 

According to a release, officials said when the San Francisco Police Department officials arrived on scene, they found Moreno-Gama in possession of incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, a blue lighter, and a document.

The first part of the document, entitled "Your Last Warning" by Moreno-Gama, advocated against AI and for the killing and commission of other crimes against CEOs of AI companies and their investors, listing names and addresses that purported to belong to multiple CEOs and investors.  In the document, Moreno-Gama admitted to attempting to kill the victim CEO and requested others to join his movement, according to the release.

Moreno-Gama ended the document with a letter addressed to the victim CEO, writing, "If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself…"

Law enforcement later learned that on the same day he committed these attacks, Moreno-Gama also emailed a version of the document to representatives at his former college back in Texas.

"We will not tolerate any attempt to change the way Americans live and work through fear or violence," said United States Attorney Craig Missakian. "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."

"The charges announced today reflect a deeply concerning escalation from intent to action targeting a private residence and a technology company with violence.  The FBI will not tolerate threats against our nation’s innovation leaders or the companies that drive our economy forward.  Acts of destruction aimed at the tech sector will be met with the full force of law enforcement.  This case underscores the strength of our partnership with the San Francisco Police Department.  Together, we remain committed to identifying, disrupting, and holding accountable anyone who seeks to bring violence to our communities," said Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo.

FBI raids home in The Woodlands, Texas

Video of the scene on Monday showed a large law enforcement presence in a neighborhood in The Woodlands on Monday morning.

The home belonged to Moreno-Gama. 

Texas man facing federal charges

On Monday afternoon, authorities announced all the charges against Moreno-Gama.

Those charges include: 

• Attempted murder of Sam Altman — "including an allegation that it was willful, deliberate, and premeditated." An enhancement was included for the possession and use of a deadly weapon (incendiary device).
• Attempted murder of a security guard that was at Altman's home with the same allegation and enhancement as mentioned for the attempted murder of Altman
• Attempted arson of Sam Altman's home
• Possession of a destructive device in a public place
• Possession of a destructive device or explosive with the intent to injure or intimidate
• Exploding or igniting a destructive device with the intent to murder
• Attempted criminal threats to the security guard at the OpenAI headquarters, as well as an allegation of possession of a deadly weapon
• Possession or creation of an incendiary device with the intent to willfully or maliciously commit arson at the OpenAI headquarters.
• Attempted arson at the OpenAI headquarters

What's next:

If convicted, Moreno-Gama faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for damage and destruction of property by means of explosives, and a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of an unregistered firearm.