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Massachusetts man arrested by FBI in connection with alleged Isis attack plot Massachusetts man arrested by FBI in connection with alleged Isis attack plot
(34 minutes later)
A Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged by the FBI in connection with an alleged plot to commit a terrorist attack in the US on behalf of the Islamic State. A Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged by the FBI in connection with an alleged plot to commit a terrorist attack in the US on behalf of Islamic State.
Alexander Ciccolo, 23, of Adams, Massachusetts, was arrested on gun charges after buying two rifles “with large ammunition magazines” and two pistols from a confidential informant working with the FBI, the Department of Justice said in a statement.Alexander Ciccolo, 23, of Adams, Massachusetts, was arrested on gun charges after buying two rifles “with large ammunition magazines” and two pistols from a confidential informant working with the FBI, the Department of Justice said in a statement.
In late June, according to the complaint in the case, Ciccolo told the informant he planned to attack civilians, US military members and law enforcement officers using a pressure cooker and/or portable microwave bomb filled with ball bearings, nails, glass and rocks.In late June, according to the complaint in the case, Ciccolo told the informant he planned to attack civilians, US military members and law enforcement officers using a pressure cooker and/or portable microwave bomb filled with ball bearings, nails, glass and rocks.
He later changed his plan, the complaint said, telling the informant the attack would target college dorms and cafeterias, and that he would broadcast the executions of students live online, because universities would have “many more people” present.He later changed his plan, the complaint said, telling the informant the attack would target college dorms and cafeterias, and that he would broadcast the executions of students live online, because universities would have “many more people” present.
According to the complaint, a “close acquaintance” of Ciccolo’s told federal officials Ciccolo had a history of mental illness and had become “obsessed” with Islam in the last 18 months. The FBI said it began investigating Ciccolo after the acquaintance said in September Ciccolo had wanted to go abroad to fight, under the perception that his “faith is under attack”.According to the complaint, a “close acquaintance” of Ciccolo’s told federal officials Ciccolo had a history of mental illness and had become “obsessed” with Islam in the last 18 months. The FBI said it began investigating Ciccolo after the acquaintance said in September Ciccolo had wanted to go abroad to fight, under the perception that his “faith is under attack”.
Ciccolo maintained a Facebook profile page under the name Ali al-Amriki, according to investigating agents, on which he expressed an interest in dying for Islam. In October, Ciccolo had posted an image “that appeared to be a dead American soldier”, accompanied by a quote: “Thank you Islamic State! Now we won’t have to deal with these kafir back in America.”Ciccolo maintained a Facebook profile page under the name Ali al-Amriki, according to investigating agents, on which he expressed an interest in dying for Islam. In October, Ciccolo had posted an image “that appeared to be a dead American soldier”, accompanied by a quote: “Thank you Islamic State! Now we won’t have to deal with these kafir back in America.”
According to the criminal complaint, Ciccolo praised the recent attacks in Tunisia, calling the ability of one man to kill 38 people “a huge accomplishment”. Ciccolo affirmed his support for Isis to the FBI during interrogation, officials said.According to the criminal complaint, Ciccolo praised the recent attacks in Tunisia, calling the ability of one man to kill 38 people “a huge accomplishment”. Ciccolo affirmed his support for Isis to the FBI during interrogation, officials said.
ABC News reported that Ciccolo was the estranged son of a respected Boston police captain, Robert Ciccolo. Ciccolo Sr was “one of the first responders to the deadly Boston Marathon bombing”, ABC reported.ABC News reported that Ciccolo was the estranged son of a respected Boston police captain, Robert Ciccolo. Ciccolo Sr was “one of the first responders to the deadly Boston Marathon bombing”, ABC reported.
The criminal complaint alleges that Ciccolo referenced the Boston Marathon bombings as a source of inspiration for his attack using pressure cooker bombs.The criminal complaint alleges that Ciccolo referenced the Boston Marathon bombings as a source of inspiration for his attack using pressure cooker bombs.
Captain Ciccolo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Captain Ciccolo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ciccolo bought a pressure cooker in preparation for his attack, which he said he wanted to complete before the month of Ramadan is over. At the end of June, an Islamic State spokesman urged would-be jihadis to make the holy month of Ramadan “a time of calamity for the infidels”. Ciccolo bought a pressure cooker in preparation for his attack, which he said he wanted to complete before the month of Ramadan is over. At the end of June, an Isis spokesman urged would-be jihadis to make the holy month of Ramadan “a time of calamity for the infidels”.
At the time of his arrest, Ciccolo was carrying the firearms he had purchased as well as a knife and the receipt for the pressure cooker, which he had purchased the day before.At the time of his arrest, Ciccolo was carrying the firearms he had purchased as well as a knife and the receipt for the pressure cooker, which he had purchased the day before.
A search of Ciccolo’s apartment turned up bomb-making equipment, several “partially constructed Molotov cocktails” and two machetes.A search of Ciccolo’s apartment turned up bomb-making equipment, several “partially constructed Molotov cocktails” and two machetes.
While Ciccolo was being processed into a correctional facility after his arrest, he allegedly stabbed a nurse in the head with a pen during a routine medical screening. The complaint includes a photograph of the nurse’s bloodied head.While Ciccolo was being processed into a correctional facility after his arrest, he allegedly stabbed a nurse in the head with a pen during a routine medical screening. The complaint includes a photograph of the nurse’s bloodied head.
Ciccolo was convicted in February of driving while under the influence of alcohol, and sentenced to probation. The complaint said Ciccolo had previously “abused” alcohol.Ciccolo was convicted in February of driving while under the influence of alcohol, and sentenced to probation. The complaint said Ciccolo had previously “abused” alcohol.
Ciccolo was set to appear in court in Massachusetts on Tuesday for a detention hearing. The FBI recommended he be held without bail, due to the severity of his alleged plot and the nurse’s stabbing.Ciccolo was set to appear in court in Massachusetts on Tuesday for a detention hearing. The FBI recommended he be held without bail, due to the severity of his alleged plot and the nurse’s stabbing.