Idaho man charged with materially supporting ISIS, planning attacks on churches

According to a release from the Department of Justice, Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho was arrested on Saturday. He was planning to attack the churches the next day.

Authorities intercepted the communications of Mercurio and several indiviuals which were facilitating the transfer of funds to an indiividual, known to have been based in Gaza, who is now thought to be dead.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in the release, "As alleged in the complaint, the defendant swore an oath of loyalty to ISIS and planned to wage an attack in its name on churches in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho."

Garland added, “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody before he could act, and he is now charged with attempting to support ISIS’s mission of terror and violence. The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who would commit acts of terrorism against the people and interests of the United States.”

Mercurio is charged with a federal complaint for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and, if convicted of the crime, will spend a maximum of 20 years in prison.

"Mercurio pledged his allegiance to ISIS and intended to commit attacks on its behalf. He planned to attack individuals at churches in Coeur d’Alene on April 7 using weapons, including knives, firearms, and fire," the release stated. "The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) conducted the investigation and thwarted Mercurio’s violent plot. Mercurio is currently in custody awaiting his initial appearance which will be set by the Court."

Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI said in the release, "This case should be a real eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalization."