Cd'A man gets 18 years for trying to help ISIS

A Coeur d’Alene man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release for attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Alexander Scott Mercurio, 21, was sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Nye.

“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 in a press release. "Alexander Scott Mercurio planned to attack that fundamental freedom by bringing death and destruction to several churches."

According to court records, Mercurio pledged his allegiance to ISIS and intended to commit an attack in Coeur d’Alene on its behalf, a U.S. Department of Justice press release said.

In early 2023, he created an online repository for pro-ISIS content with the purpose of spreading the doctrine of the Islamic State, the release said. 

"Although Mercurio desired to travel overseas to support ISIS, he lacked resources," the release said. "He then made plans to conduct a terrorist attack within the United States."

Mercurio planned to incapacitate his father with a metal pipe and take his firearms to use in a mass casualty attack on a church in the name of ISIS, according to the release. His plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe, and firearms. 

A search of his house revealed that he had butane canisters, lighters, a pair of handcuffs, a knife, and a machete, as well as several firearms belonging to his father. 

Mercurio planned to target churches in Coeur d’Alene on April 7, 2024, using these various weapons. Days before the planned attack, Mercurio stood before an ISIS flag holding a knife and pledged his allegiance to ISIS. The FBI arrested him April 6, 2024, one day before his planned attack, the release said.

“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 Shirts. 

He commended 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.”