Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – An 18-year-old individual has been arrested by the FBI in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for planning a violent attack on churches in the area on behalf of ISIS, according to the Justice Department. Alexander Mercurio now faces charges of attempting to provide support to a designated foreign terrorist organization after allegedly devising a plan to attack churches in the northern Idaho city. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force detected and thwarted the defendant’s “truly horrific” plot as mentioned by FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Mercurio, a resident of Coeur d’Alene, reached out to confidential human sources online to express his support for ISIS and other terrorist organizations, leading to the initiation of the investigation. He reportedly spread ISIS propaganda, solicited the group’s involvement and approval, and discussed traveling from the U.S to join ISIS while considering ways to support them financially. The plan for the attack involved various weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, and firearms, with Mercurio identifying a specific church and date for the attack.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Mercurio’s residence and took him into custody while discovering items related to the plot, including a metal pipe, a knife, and a machete. Mercurio allegedly made a statement pledging allegiance to ISIS and expressing his intention to die while killing others on behalf of the terrorist organization. If convicted on the federal charge, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing, disrupting, and holding accountable those who plan acts of terrorism against the U.S. The case highlights the FBI’s efforts to thwart terrorist plots and ensure the safety of communities against extremist threats. The investigation sheds light on the ongoing challenges of combating radicalization and preventing individuals from carrying out violent attacks in the name of terrorism.