Idaho Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Plotting Church Attacks in the Name of ISIS
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Nov. 10 that Alexander Scott Mercurio, 21, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was sentenced to 18 years in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge David C. Nye of the District of Idaho for attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
According to court records, Mercurio planned to incapacitate his father with a metal pipe, take his firearms, and carry out a mass-casualty attack on Idaho churches in the name of ISIS, using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives and a machete. A search of his home turned up butane canisters, lighters, a pair of handcuffs, a knife, a machete and several of his father's firearms. Days before the planned attack, Mercurio stood before an ISIS flag holding a knife and pledged allegiance to the group. The FBI arrested him on April 6, 2024, one day before the planned attack. In early 2023, he had also created an online repository to spread ISIS doctrine.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security M. Scott Proctor said Mercurio had plotted to attack Americans' fundamental freedom to exercise their religion, and that the sentence shows the Justice Department will relentlessly pursue those who would terrorize Americans. U.S. Attorney John C. Shirts for the District of Idaho said anyone who intends to pursue acts of terrorism, in Coeur d'Alene or any other community, will be brought to justice. FBI Counterterrorism Division Assistant Director Jarod Brown said Mercurio is being held accountable for pledging allegiance to ISIS and planning an attack on U.S. soil.
The case was investigated by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force with assistance from the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and the Ada County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather S. Patricco and David G. Robins and Trial Attorney Matthew R. Hracho of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Boise 的 James A. McClure 联邦大楼与联邦法院，爱达荷州联邦地区法院所在地。Matthew Harrison Smith 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The James A. McClure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Boise, home of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. By Matthew Harrison Smith, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
