Idaho man faces federal terrorism charge. Prosecutors say he planned a church attack to support IS

Good that he was thwarted.

essentialsaltes said:

Authorities said Alexander Scott Mercurio adopted the Muslim faith against his Christian parents' wishes and was in contact with FBI informants posing as Islamic State group supporters.

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The FBI did a good job at foiling this young man's plans. By the way, the Koran (Muslim holy document) speaks out against violence, in a similar way to the Bible. Koran 2:195 "And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to destruction; but do good; for God loveth those who do good." Seems like this Mr. Mercurio guy doesn't even know his own religion.


Here is the article's summary, for those who are fed up with home-grown terror in the USA and other locales:

This article, written by Rebecca Boone and Mead Gruver and published on April 9, 2024, reports on the arrest of an 18-year-old man named Alexander Scott Mercurio from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. According to federal prosecutors, Mercurio had been planning to attack churches in the city using a metal pipe, lighter fluid, a machete, and, if possible, his father's firearms. Mercurio had adopted the Muslim faith against his Christian parents' wishes and was in contact with FBI informants posing as Islamic State (IS) group supporters.

Mercurio had discussed his intentions to attack churches with the informants over a two-year period and had even attempted to build an explosive vest. He first connected with IS during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were closed, and his parents disapproved of his beliefs. Mercurio had become frustrated and expressed a desire for weapons beyond knives to carry out the attacks.

On March 21, 2024, Mercurio sent a direct message to an informant expressing his restlessness and frustration, wondering how long he could continue living in his current state. He also pledged allegiance to IS in an audio file, leading law enforcement to move to arrest him. Mercurio is charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He is currently being held in a northern Idaho jail while awaiting his first court appearance.

The Islamic State group took control of large territories in Syria and Iraq in 2014 but had largely been defeated on the battlefield by 2018. However, the group still maintains desert hideouts in both countries, and its regional affiliates operate in Afghanistan, West Africa, and the Far East. IS claimed responsibility for last month's Moscow concert hall attack that killed 145 people, making it the deadliest attack in Russia in years.