The FBI arrested an 18-year-old Idaho man over the weekend who uncovered a “truly horrifying” and “violent plot” to attack a church in Coeur d’Alene on behalf of ISIS, according to the Justice Department.
Alexander Mercurio is now providing material support and assistance to a designated foreign terrorist organization after the FBI said he plotted to “incapacitate his father, handcuff him, and steal firearms that he would use to inflict maximum casualties.” He faces federal charges of attempting to provide supplies. ” in an attack he was scheduled to carry out in the northern Idaho resort city on Sunday, April 7.
“The defendant’s alleged allegiance to ISIS and attack on churchgoers in Idaho was a truly horrifying plan,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. Detected and intercepted.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland added, “The Department of Justice will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who commit acts of terrorism against the American people and American interests.”
U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
TNS (via Getty Images)
The FBI says in a criminal complaint that the investigation is complete. It began when Mercurio, a Coeur d’Alene resident, “contacted confidential human sources online and expressed support for ISIS and terrorist organizations more generally.”
“Mercurio spread ISIS propaganda online, sought ISIS involvement and approval in his propaganda efforts, and discussed traveling from the United States to join ISIS. [and] “considered and planned ways to financially support ISIS,” FBI agents wrote in the complaint.
“His attack plan included the use of flaming weapons, explosives, knives, machetes, pipes, and ultimately firearms,” the investigator added. “His plans became more precise as he eventually identified the specific churches and dates he planned to attack.”
FBI agents also said Mercurio “made a Bayah statement in which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and stated that he was willing to die while killing others for ISIS.”
But on Saturday afternoon, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Mercurio’s home and found items related to the conspiracy, including “metal pipes,” a “black Smith & Wesson fixed-blade knife,” and a “machete.” Mercurio was taken into custody. ” according to the complaint.
Mercurio currently faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of the federal charges.
