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An Idaho teen has been arrested for pledging allegiance to ISIS and planning to assault native church buildings.
Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, of Coeur d'Alene, was arrested on Saturday, April 6, on prices of trying to offer materials assist and sources to a terrorist group.
In response to the affidavit in assist of the felony criticism, Mercurio pledged his allegiance to ISIS and “deliberate to assault people at church buildings in Coeur d'Alene on April 7 utilizing weapons together with knives, firearms, and hearth.”
In response to the criticism, Mercurio's plan was to assault his father with a steel pipe, steal his weapons, and perform suicide assaults on native church buildings.
Lawyer Normal Merrick B. “As alleged within the criticism, the defendants pledged allegiance to ISIS and deliberate to assault church buildings in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in its identify,” Garland stated.
Garland added, “Because of the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody earlier than he may take motion, and he’s now charged with trying to assist ISIS's mission of terror and violence . “The Division of Justice will proceed to pursue, disrupt, and maintain accountable those that would commit terrorist acts towards the folks and pursuits of the USA.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray stated, “The defendant allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and tried to assault folks attending church buildings in Idaho, which was a really horrific plan that was foiled by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Job Power.” The drive detected and thwarted.”
Wray added, “This investigation displays the FBI's steadfast dedication to working with our legislation enforcement companions to discourage those that search to commit acts of violence on behalf of or impressed by international terrorist teams.”
The FBI stated the case ought to open folks's eyes to the risks of self-radicalization.
“This case ought to be an eye-opener to the risks of self-radicalization, which is an actual risk to our communities,” stated Salt Lake Metropolis FBI Particular Agent in Cost Shohini Sinha. “Defending the American folks from terrorism stays the FBI's primary precedence, and we proceed to encourage the general public to report something suspicious to the FBI or your native legislation enforcement.”
Mercurio stays in custody pending an preliminary courtroom look. If convicted, he faces a most sentence of 20 years in federal jail.