(ConservativeHub.com) – On Saturday, April 6, the FBI arrested a young man in Idaho who had allegedly planned to attack some of the state’s churches. The Justice Department reported that the man had also pledged his allegiance to ISIS.
According to the complaint, 18-year-old Alexander Scott Mercurio was planning an attack at Coeur d’Alene with a variety of different weapons including firearms, a machete, a pipe, knives, and explosives.
On Monday in a press release, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) said they had shut down the man’s “violent plot.” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the release that the man was accused of pledging his loyalty to ISIS and was intending to wage an attack on churches in the area.
In the release, FBI’s Salt Lake City Office Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha stated that this case should act as an eye opener to the threat that communities are facing from “self-radicalization.” Mercurio, who was charged with having attempted to provide material support or resources to a terrorist group, is facing up to 20 years behind bars over his connection with a foreign terrorist organization. Currently, the man is in police custody and has yet to appear in court to face the charges against him.
FBI Director Cristopher Wray stated that the investigation had shown the commitment of the FBI to work with law enforcement partners to stop all those who wish to commit acts of violence in collaboration or inspired by foreign terrorist groups.
Copyright 2024, ConservativeHub.com
