(DailyAnswer.org) – A teen has been arrested by the FBI after a violent and “truly horrific” plot was discovered that involved plans to assault churches in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Alexander Mercurio, 18, was intending to attack the churches on behalf of the Islamist militant group ISIS, according to the Justice Department. Mercurio now faces a federal charge of attempting to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. The FBI says the teen planned to knock out his father, restrain him with handcuffs, and steal his firearms. Mercurio was allegedly planning to inflict maximum casualties using his father’s guns in the northern resort city of Idaho on April 7.
FBI Director Christopher Wray made a statement saying the defendant swore loyalty to ISIS and aimed to slaughter church attendees in Idaho in the planned attack, which was thwarted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Mercurio was reportedly planning to use a metal pipe, butane, and a machete, in addition to his father’s guns, were he successful in obtaining them. Authorities revealed that the teen went against his Christian parents’ wishes by adopting the Islamic faith and was in contact with undercover FBI agents posing as ISIS supporters.
Mercurio was arrested the day before he intended to carry out the assault. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland credited the FBI’s investigative efforts with apprehending the defendant before he could execute any attack. He vowed that the Justice Department would continue to relentlessly pursue and hold responsible those who would carry out acts of terrorism. Special agent Shohini Sinha, who is in charge of the Salt Lake City FBI, called the case an “eye-opener” regarding the risk of self-radicalization. Sinha stressed that protecting the American public from such acts remained the number one priority of the FBI and encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the FBI or local law enforcement.
Mercurio could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of the charges. According to court documents, Mercurio’s beliefs grew in an online group chat, in which he spoke about his frustrations with his parents for not understanding his religious views. His messages eventually developed into intentions to donate all of his savings to ISIS and the plans for a terrorist attack. According to the informant in the chat, Mercurio intended to kill as many as 21 people before dying in an act of self-proclaimed martyrdom.
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