COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, was arrested Saturday, April 6 in Coeur d'Alene for planning violent attacks on local churches on behalf of ISIS and providing support and resources to the foreign terrorist group, according to the United States Attorney's Office District of Idaho.
According to the affidavit, the Coeur d'Alene man planned to attack churches in the north Idaho area on Sunday, April 7, in allegiance with ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). The court document stated that Mercurio intended to die during the attacks and send his monetary savings to the terrorist group.
Mercurio planned to use firearms, fire and knives to carry out the attacks, the criminal complaint stated.
"He amassed a collection of items he intended to use to conduct an attack against a local church and its congregation, planned to violently assault his father with a metal pipe so he could steal a vehicle and firearms belonging to his father, pledged allegiance to ISIS, declared his own desire to be killed during his attack, and made arrangements to send his life savings to ISIS," the affidavit stated.
Mercurio was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) were the lead investigators. Mercurio was arrested by the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and taken to the county jail, where he awaits his first court-appointed appearance. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
"Across the Department of Justice, and in my office, we have no higher calling than to protect our nation and our communities from terrorism. Along with our law enforcement partners, my office will always remain laser-focused on this part of our mission," said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. "I want to thank the FBI for its tireless work on this investigation and its thorough efforts to prevent violence. The support from local law enforcement was also integral to successfully disrupting the alleged plot."
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