Coeur d’Alene Man Sentenced to 18 Years For Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

COEUR D’ALENE – Alexander Scott Mercurio, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, was sentenced today to 18 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release by United States District Judge David C. Nye for attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. 

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security M. Scott Proctor, U.S. Attorney John C. Shirts of the District of Idaho and Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Division made the announcement.

“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.”

“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 Shirts.  “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.”

“This case should serve as an eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalization, which is a real threat in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “This is why your FBI works day in and day out to prevent threats against our homeland. We will pursue anyone who tries to provide material support to terrorist organizations and harm Americans. We will bring them to justice.”

According to court records, Mercurio pledged his allegiance to ISIS and intended to commit an attack in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on its behalf. In early 2023, he created an online repository for pro-ISIS content with the purpose of spreading the doctrine of the Islamic State. Although Mercurio desired to travel overseas to support ISIS, he lacked resources. 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. 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 on April 6, 2024, one day before his planned April 7, 2024 attack.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather S. Patricco and David G. Robins for the District of Idaho and attorneys from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

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