Idaho

'Craving for mayhem and murder': Idaho teen arrested by the FBI for providing support to ISIS

Published

3 weeks ago

April 10, 2024

'Craving for mayhem and murder': Idaho teen arrested by the FBI for providing support to ISIS

The FBI arrested an Idaho teenager on April 6 for providing material support and resources to ISIS, according to a Justice Department statement.

According to the FBI, Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, pledged allegiance to ISIS and intended to commit attacks on its behalf, planning to attack people at churches in his hometown of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

He planned to use weapons, including knives, firearms, and fire.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) conducted the investigation and thwarted Mercurio’s violent plot. Mercurio is currently in custody, awaiting his initial appearance, which the Court will set.

“As alleged in the complaint, the defendant swore an oath of loyalty to ISIS and planned to wage an attack in its name on churches in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

An ISIS fighter poses in front of an Islamic State flag (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

“Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody before he could act, and he is now charged with attempting to support ISIS’s mission of terror and violence.”

Providing material support

A federal complaint charges Mercurio with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

If convicted, Mercurio faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A judge will determine any sentence after considering sentencing guidelines and other factors.

“The defendant allegedly pledged loyalty to ISIS and sought to attack people attending churches in Idaho, a truly horrific plan which was detected and thwarted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

“This case should be an eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalization, which is a real threat to our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI.

“We applaud the swift action taken by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, JTTF, the FBI, and local law enforcement to mitigate the threat posed by the arrestee: his own words note a ‘craving for mayhem and murder’ and a desire to slit the throats of people peacefully gathered in prayer. This arrest highlights the threats we face and the ongoing potential for international terrorist organizations to inspire local individuals to hate and violence,” said SCN National Director & CEO Michael Masters.

Source link

Related Topics:fbi Featured Idaho isis Islamic State terrorism united states

Click to comment

Idaho

Biden to nominate former FRA head Batory, Idaho transit official Clegg for Amtrak board – Trains

Published

23 mins ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Biden to nominate former FRA head Batory, Idaho transit official Clegg for Amtrak board – Trains

biden-to-nominate-former-fra-head-batory-idaho-transit-official-clegg-for-amtrak-board
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/biden-to-nominate-former-fra-head-batory-idaho-transit-official-clegg-for-amtrak-board/
Biden to nominate former FRA head Batory, Idaho transit official Clegg for Amtrak board – Trains
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will nominate former Federal Railroad Admininstration Administrator Ron Batory and Elaine Marie Clegg, CEO of Valley Regional Transit in Idaho’s Ada and Canyon counties, to serve on Amtrak’s Board of Directors, the White House announced today (May 2). Batory, now a resident of New Mexico, and Clegg, of Boise, Idaho, […]Read More…
https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BatoryNEW.jpg
InStock
USD
1.00
1.00
news-wire
news-reviews

article
TRN
2024-05-02
2024-05-02

196904

false

product

News & Reviews News Wire Biden to nominate former FRA head Batory, Idaho transit official Clegg for Amtrak board

Nominees of two western residents will address concerns over board’s geographic makeup

Advertisement

Former FRA administrator Ron Batory will be nominated to serve on Amtrak’s board of directors. David Lassen

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will nominate former Federal Railroad Admininstration Administrator Ron Batory and Elaine Marie Clegg, CEO of Valley Regional Transit in Idaho’s Ada and Canyon counties, to serve on Amtrak’s Board of Directors, the White House announced today (May 2).

Batory, now a resident of New Mexico, and Clegg, of Boise, Idaho, would help address the geographic requirements that have been a stumbling block in filling board vacancies [see “Senators challenge Northeast Corridor tilt of Amtrak board nominees …,” Trains News Wire, April 26, 2023, and “Senate confirms three nominees …,” News Wire, Jan. 24, 2024].

Batory’s lengthy resume in the rail industry spans more than 45 years, and includes stints as president of the Belt Railway of Chicago and CEO of Conrail Shared Assets. He also recently served as the trustee of the CP-Kansas City Southern Voting Trust, overseeing KCS prior to the approval of the CPKC merger. He served as FRA administrator from February 2018 to January 2021, overseeing the implementation of positive train control and publication of a final governing Amtrak on-time performance on host railroads, among other accomplishments.

Woman standing with steam locomotive in background — Amtrak board nominee Elaine Clegg outside the Boise Depot, the 1925 Union Pacific station now a city events facility. Valley Regional Transit

Clegg has spent 25 years as a public servant focusing on transportation and land use, including nearly 20 years on the Boise City Council; she has been Valley Regional Transit’s CEO since February 2023.

“I am deeply honored to be given this opportunity by the Biden-Harris administration to join the Amtrak Board of Directors and contribute to the advancement of rail transportation in our country,” Clegg said in a press release. “I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to ensure Amtrak continues to serve the needs of passengers and communities across America. It is especially exciting to have a chance to serve at this time as passenger rail is making a comeback and to represent the West as it seeks rail expansion.”

Both nominees must be confirmed by the Senate and would serve five-year terms.

Shop our Hobby Store

Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Join Today!

Source link

Idaho

Please Send Idaho Some Global Warming Today

Published

7 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Please Send Idaho Some Global Warming Today

Dear Gaia, please send me some global warming. I’ve been a good boy. I didn’t use your name in vain during the January blizzard. I don’t drive a gas guzzler. I don’t want to keep running my furnace.

One of the guys here at the office posted a story a week ago about our warmer-than-normal spring. Then, BINGO! Early March returned. It snowed overnight in Pocatello. A friend in Camas County had a morning in the teens on Tuesday. He still had to plant ahead during the day. Memorial Day is a few weeks away. More cold and rain is expected this weekend.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a drier-than-average summer, especially in East Idaho. Summer rain is expected to be slightly below average. I try to avoid saying normal, it’s a word used by TV meteorologists (tested by focus groups) but gives a false impression.

The last couple of springs have looked very similar into May and into June. Last year I stopped at an Oasis and a woman behind the counter told me she was new in Idaho. She asked if it was always as cold and rainy in June. We haven’t seen a lot of spring in recent years. Here in the south, the drought is temporary history. It’s dry in the panhandle but this summer doesn’t look like Death Valley Days according to NOAA.

It may be possible that some of what we see with so-called climate change are historical variations. We have bigger fish to fry when it gets seriously hot.

Sasquatch Hunting

Source link

Idaho

Hundreds attend North Idaho Business Expo, career fair

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Hundreds attend North Idaho Business Expo, career fair

COEUR d’ALENE — Henry Wolsten didn’t have a booth at the North Idaho Business Expo and Career Fair, but perhaps he should have.

The owner and manager of Spring Chicken Socials was on the lookout for young people, college graduates and freelancers “looking to help their local community and help them foster and grow rather than taking their skills and assets elsewhere.”

Wolsten’s independent social media marketing company could use photographers, videographers and graphic designers, and he hoped to find them at the expo at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

He talked with several people, explained who he was and what he did, and learned about their work plans and hopes.

“I’m having a blast so far,” Wolsten said. “I like meeting people with startups because I feel I can relate to them.”

Nearly 80 businesses and organizations manned booths at the annual event organized by the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber and Post Falls Area Chamber.

When it opened at 4 p.m. a crowd of young and old flowed through the doors and in the first 30 minutes, hundreds had talked to vendors about jobs and services and also came away with plenty of prizes.

Engineering, banking, health care, higher education and tourism were just some of the fields represented at the three-hour fair.

“I love bringing the community together and having them learn about businesses,” said Christina Petit, Post Falls Area Chamber president and CEO.

Miquel Butler, ticket supervisor with the Route of the Hiawatha, said they were looking to hire about 50 people before their Memorial Day weekend opening.

They were offering in the $12 to $14 an hour range for positions including trail marshals, bus drivers, bike rental technicians and cashiers. They were also offering discounted housing in the Silver Valley.

“We’re expecting a busy summer,” she said.

Bob and Marilyn Weaver of Bayview were making the rounds. Married 64 years, they enjoy getting out and learning what companies have to offer.

“We like to see what the vendors are in the area,” Bob Weaver said.

They enjoyed the expo’s friendly atmosphere and high-energy vibes.

“It’s a good show,” Marilyn Weaver said.

Likewise for Florence Stovall, who was there with her husband, Earl Stovall.

“For the free stuff,” she said.

Source link