An Idaho man allegedly hatched a conspiracy. terrorist attack He denounced about two dozen Christian churches for the Islamic State, but was thwarted by an FBI informant.
The FBI said its agents had been following Alexander Scott Mercurio for two years after he converted to Islam against the wishes of his Christian parents.
Mercurio was arrested the previous Saturday on suspicion of planning the attack to coincide with the end of the religious month of Ramadan.
“Thanks to the FBI’s investigative efforts, the defendant was taken into custody before any action could be taken and is now charged with attempting to support ISIS’ mission of terror and violence,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Ta.
FBI Special Agent John Taylor II said in a sworn statement that Mercurio told him he was planning to attack his father in order to obtain a gun for a terrorist attack. Mercurio’s father had a locked cabinet containing a rifle, handgun, and ammunition.
Mercurio was said to have planned to die as a martyr after attacking the church.of statement asserts Mercurio reportedly tried to make an explosive vest to use during attacks.
“A lust for mayhem and murder.”
Prosecutors say the boy first converted to Islam when schools were closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I have stopped seeking and praying for martyrdom because I don’t want to die fighting for Allah. I just want to die and solve all my problems,” he reportedly wrote to the informant. .
“I have no motive other than to fight… an insatiable murderous lust for the life juice of idolaters, a thirst for mayhem and murder to terrorize those around me. I have no knife. We need better weapons,” read a second message. The money is said to have been sent on March 21st.
He said his plan was to attack each church, “kill as many people as possible” and burn down the buildings before moving on to the next church.
Mr. Mercurio was arrested in Coeur d’Alene and charged with providing material support and supplies to ISIS.he may face If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Evidence collected by the FBI also includes images of Mercurio posing in front of an ISIS flag while making gestures known to be used by terrorists. They were also able to retrieve the flag from his property.
“The Department of Justice will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who commit acts of terrorism against American people and interests,” Merrick added in a statement.
ISIS recently took responsibility for the horrifying attack on Moscow’s Crocus Concert Hall, in which militants shot 145 people and injured hundreds more.
Information on terrorist arrests is as follows.
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