Ubiquitous
2024-04-10 01:05:00 UTC
The FBI has arrested an 18-year-old in Idaho after uncovering his
"truly horrific" and "violent plot" to attack churches in Coeur dAlene
this past weekend on behalf of ISIS, the Justice Department says.
Alexander Mercurio is now facing a federal charge of attempting to
provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist
organization after the FBI says he devised a plan to "incapacitate his
father, restrain him using handcuffs, and steal his firearms to use for
maximum casualties" in an attack he had been planning to carry out in
the northern Idaho resort city on Sunday, April 7.
"The defendant allegedly pledged loyalty to ISIS and sought to attack
people attending churches in Idaho, a truly horrific plan which was
detected and thwarted by the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force," FBI
Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.
"The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt,
and hold accountable those who would commit acts of terrorism against
the people and interests of the United States," added Attorney General
Merrick Garland.
In a criminal complaint, the FBI says the investigation began when
Mercurio, who is a resident of Coeur dAlene, "reached out to
confidential human sources online and indicated his support for ISIS
and terrorist organizations, more generally."
"Mercurio spread ISIS propaganda online and solicited ISISs
involvement in and approval of his propaganda efforts, discussed
traveling from the United States to join ISIS, [and] considered and
planned ways to support ISIS financially," an FBI investigator wrote in
the complaint.
"His attack plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives,
knives, a machete, a pipe and ultimately firearms," the investigator
added. "His plan grew more precise as he eventually identified the
specific church and date on which he planned to attack."
The FBI investigator also said Mercurio "made a bayah statement,
pledging his allegiance to ISIS and stating his intention to die while
killing others on behalf of ISIS."
But on Saturday afternoon, FBI agents carried out a search warrant at
Mercurios house and took him into custody while allegedly finding
items linked to the plot, including a "metal pipe," "a black Smith and
Wesson fixed blade knife" and a "machete," according to the complaint.
Mercurio now faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted on the
federal charge.
--
Islam is a peaceful religion, just as long as the women are beaten, the
boys buggered and the infidels are killed.
"truly horrific" and "violent plot" to attack churches in Coeur dAlene
this past weekend on behalf of ISIS, the Justice Department says.
Alexander Mercurio is now facing a federal charge of attempting to
provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist
organization after the FBI says he devised a plan to "incapacitate his
father, restrain him using handcuffs, and steal his firearms to use for
maximum casualties" in an attack he had been planning to carry out in
the northern Idaho resort city on Sunday, April 7.
"The defendant allegedly pledged loyalty to ISIS and sought to attack
people attending churches in Idaho, a truly horrific plan which was
detected and thwarted by the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force," FBI
Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.
"The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt,
and hold accountable those who would commit acts of terrorism against
the people and interests of the United States," added Attorney General
Merrick Garland.
In a criminal complaint, the FBI says the investigation began when
Mercurio, who is a resident of Coeur dAlene, "reached out to
confidential human sources online and indicated his support for ISIS
and terrorist organizations, more generally."
"Mercurio spread ISIS propaganda online and solicited ISISs
involvement in and approval of his propaganda efforts, discussed
traveling from the United States to join ISIS, [and] considered and
planned ways to support ISIS financially," an FBI investigator wrote in
the complaint.
"His attack plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives,
knives, a machete, a pipe and ultimately firearms," the investigator
added. "His plan grew more precise as he eventually identified the
specific church and date on which he planned to attack."
The FBI investigator also said Mercurio "made a bayah statement,
pledging his allegiance to ISIS and stating his intention to die while
killing others on behalf of ISIS."
But on Saturday afternoon, FBI agents carried out a search warrant at
Mercurios house and took him into custody while allegedly finding
items linked to the plot, including a "metal pipe," "a black Smith and
Wesson fixed blade knife" and a "machete," according to the complaint.
Mercurio now faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted on the
federal charge.
--
Islam is a peaceful religion, just as long as the women are beaten, the
boys buggered and the infidels are killed.