Prepared to sacrifice himself: FBI foils IS-inspired New Years Eve attack in US; teen held
The suspect, identified as Christian Sturdivant, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of preparing an attack inspired by a foreign terrorist organisation. The FBI said he has been charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation. He was produced before a court and remains in custody. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 7.
New Delhi: The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said on Friday it had thwarted a New Year's Eve attack inspired by the Islamic State (IS), arresting an 18-year-old in North Carolina.
The suspect, identified as Christian Sturdivant, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of preparing an attack inspired by a foreign terrorist organisation. The FBI said he has been charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation. He was produced before a court and remains in custody. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 7.
Investigators said the accused disclosed his plan to attack people using a knife and a hammer to an undercover FBI employee who was posing as a trusted associate. US Attorney for Western North Carolina Russ Ferguson said the FBI had kept Sturdivant under constant surveillance for several days, including over Christmas, due to concerns that he could carry out violence ahead of New Year's Eve.
'No danger to the public'
Ferguson said agents were prepared to arrest him immediately if he stepped out of his home with weapons. He added that there was no danger to the public. Sturdivant was arrested on Wednesday and has remained in custody since his appearance in federal court on Friday.
The alleged plot came nearly a year after a deadly attack in New Orleans in which 14 people were killed by a US citizen and former military serviceman who had declared support for IS on social media. The FBI has previously disrupted several alleged attacks through sting operations in which agents posed as extremists and provided advice or equipment.
FBI Special Agent James Barnacle told reporters that searches of Sturdivant's home and phone uncovered a manifesto detailing plans for the attack. Barnacle said the suspect was prepared to sacrifice himself. According to an FBI affidavit, a handwritten note found in the trash at Sturdivant's home described plans to attack a popular restaurant chain and an unidentified grocery store, along with the intended number of victims.
'Wanted to die at the hands of law enforcement'
The note also mentioned that he planned to attack responding police officers and wanted to die at the hands of law enforcement. Ferguson confirmed that Sturdivant worked at a popular restaurant but said it was unclear whether it was the same restaurant mentioned in the note. Citing the ongoing investigation, he declined to identify the businesses allegedly targeted.
Court documents said Sturdivant could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Ferguson said the fact that Sturdivant encountered two undercover officers while allegedly planning the attack should reassure the public.
According to the affidavit, the investigation began last month after authorities linked Sturdivant to a social media account that posted content supporting IS, including images promoting violence. The display name of the account referenced Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of the extremist group.