Alexander Scott Mercurio was sentenced to 18 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. U.S. District Judge David C. Nye of the District of Idaho handed down the sentence over a plot to attack Idaho churches in the name of ISIS.
“America’s founders wanted our Nation to be a place where the faithful of any denomination could exercise their religious beliefs freely and without fear of violence,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security M. Scott Proctor. “Alexander Scott Mercurio planned to attack that fundamental freedom by bringing death and destruction to several churches. This sentence shows that the Department of Justice will relentlessly investigate, pursue, and prosecute those who would terrorize and murder Americans for exercising their religious rights.”
Mercurio, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, planned to incapacitate his father with a metal pipe and take his firearms to use in a mass casualty attack on Idaho churches, according to court records cited by the Department of Justice. He also planned to use flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, and a machete in the attacks.
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A search of his house turned up butane canisters, lighters, a pair of handcuffs, a knife, and a machete, along with several firearms belonging to his father. Days before the planned attack, Mercurio stood before an ISIS flag holding a knife and pledged his allegiance to ISIS. The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested him on April 6, 2024, one day before the attack was set to take place.
“The sentencing of Mercurio today sends the clear message that where individuals intend to pursue acts of terrorism against the United States, whether in Coeur d’Alene, or any other community, they will be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney John C. Shirts for the District of Idaho. “Protecting our communities from terrorist activity is always the number one priority of this office and the Department of Justice. I commend the investigation by the FBI, as well as the valuable assistance provided by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.”
“With today’s sentencing, this individual is being held accountable for pledging allegiance to ISIS and planning an attack on U.S. soil,” said Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI works tirelessly to detect and prevent acts of terrorism in order to protect the American people. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and Justice Department partners to make sure anyone who participates in terrorist acts faces justice.”
In early 2023, Mercurio created an online repository for pro-ISIS content to spread the doctrine of the Islamic State. 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, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather S. Patricco and David G. Robins along with Trial Attorney Matthew R. Hracho of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
This article originally appeared on American Faith and is reposted with permission.
