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Coeur d'Alene man who allegedly planned terrorist attacks against churches pleads not guilty
19 days ago
COEUR D'ALENE, ID. — An 18-year-old Coeur d'Alene man who is accused of pledging his allegiance to ISIS and attempting to provide resources to the terrorist group pleaded not guilty to his charges.
Alexander Mercurio was arrested on April 6, which was the day before he allegedly planned to attack local churches in the area.
According to an affidavit, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force began its investigation over a year ago when Mercurio was 17 years old. They were investigating a fundraising network that launders money to foreign terrorist groups in Syria, and in doing so, becoming aware of Mercurio.
Court documents also reveal that Mercurio eventually confided to a confidential source about his support for ISIS. The FBI continued to monitor him before arresting him ahead of his alleged plan.
New information from the Coeur d'Alene School District shows that Mercurio received a diploma from Lake City High School in 2023. The School District says he was an Idaho Digital Learning Alliance student and took classes online his junior and senior year.
The school district also says Mercurio was given a Chromebook by the district when Mercurio was a student, saying the Chromebooks given to the students have controls in place to manage internet access. The school district says the controls include internet filters that block inappropriate content required by state and federal law.
The School District also says the FBI contacted the school district in 2022-23 asking for information about Mercurio's online activity.
A jury trial date has been set for Tuesday, May 28, in Coeur d'Alene. Mercurio is charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
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