Image Credit: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / Staff / Getty Images 
An Idaho man pled guilty to planning a terrorist attack in support of ISIS.
Alexander Scott Mercurio, a 20-year-old from Coeur d’Alene, was arrested in April 2024, a day before authorities say he planned to attack local churches with flamethrowers, explosives, guns and knives.
His plans were similar to the attack that took place this year at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan. During that attack, a gunman killed four people and injured eight after opening fire inside the church before setting fire to it.
“Days before the planned attack, Mercurio stood before an ISIS flag holding a knife and pledged his allegiance to ISIS,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho said Wednesday.
The FBI were able to prevent the attack, which Mercurio began planning after the 2024 ISIS massacre of 130 people at the Crocus City Hall concert arena in Moscow.
Mercurio, who converted to Islam, wanted the attack to take place before the end of Ramadan, the FBI believes.
According to court documents, the FBI began investigating Mercurio after he reached out to an FBI source and met with him in person, expressing his support for ISIS.
Mercurio is said to have sought direct approval for his planned attack, and wanted to travel from the US to meet with the he organization.
Authorities recovered a variety of items that would have been used in the attack, including butane canisters, a knife and a machete. They also recovered and ISIS flag in his bedroom.
Mercurio has pled guilty to attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
