Trial delayed for Coeur d'Alene man accused of trying to work with ISIS

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - The case against a Coeur d'Alene man accused of trying to provide information to ISIS and also attack Coeur d'Alene churches is so complex, federal prosecutors want another year before it goes to trial.

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested 18-year-old Alexander Mercurio in April.

They say he had been communicating with someone online that he thought was a member of ISIS, pledging his oath to the terrorist group and saying he was going to attack churches in its name.

Federal prosecutors charged Mercurio with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

His trial was initially set for May 28th, but a federal judge ruled that "the case is so complex that it is unreasonable to expect adequate preparation for pretrial proceedings or the trial itself within the narrow ordinary time limits of the Speedy Trial Act."

The judge set the trial date as May 5, 2025.

Mercurio remains in the Kootenai County Jail and is not eligible for bond.

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