Texas Man Charged in OpenAI CEO Attack

A 20-year-old man from Texas was charged on Monday, April 13, in federal court in San Francisco, California, after authorities alleged he targeted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home and tried to ignite a fire at the company’s headquarters. Court filings describe the case as involving incendiary devices and an alleged attempt to damage property.

Officials identified the defendant as Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20. Prosecutors said he faces charges of attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm. The allegations include that he threw a Molotov cocktail at Altman’s residence, according to the charging details.

Investigators said surveillance video recorded Moreno-Gama’s actions. An FBI affidavit cited a self-authored “anti-AI” document that included threats against Altman, which authorities described as evidence related to motive. The filing was referenced as part of the government’s account of why the alleged acts were carried out.

Authorities said that after Moreno-Gama was arrested, they recovered multiple incendiary devices, kerosene, and a lighter. Officials also said Moreno-Gama traveled from Texas to California in connection with the alleged attacks. The case is being handled in federal court in San Francisco, where the charges were filed.

U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian said that if evidence shows the alleged attacks were intended to influence public policy or to coerce officials, prosecutors could pursue the matter as an act of domestic terrorism. The statement described a potential legal pathway that would depend on what the evidence ultimately supports, rather than a determination already made in the charging announcement.

If convicted, Moreno-Gama faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years on the explosives-related charge, officials said. He also faces up to 10 years on the unregistered firearm charge. The allegations remain unproven unless and until they are established in court.