N.C. man charged in plot to kill Americans of behalf of ISIS
A North Carolina man was "planning assassinations and violent attacks in the United States" on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.
Justin Nolan Sullivan, 19, of Morganton, North Carolina, was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, and two other counts related to transporting and receiving a silencer, according to the complaint.
He was arrested in his home on Friday, authorities said.
The complaint alleges that an undercover FBI agent learned that Sullivan planned to obtain an AR-15 rifle, "which he planned to use to kill a large number of U.S. citizens on behalf of [ISIS]."
According to the complaint, Sullivan told the undercover agent that he was "a mujahid" and that "the war is here." Sullivan allegedly told the undercover agent about various attack tactics and how to obtain weapons.
The complaint alleges that Sullivan inquired about making homemade silencers and planned on doing "minor assassinations before the big attack for training." He also claimed that he would "send a video" to ISIS, according to the complaint.
"As alleged in the complaint, the defendant was planning assassinations and violent attacks in the United States and is charged with attempting to provide material support to [ISIS] and federal firearms violations," said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. "The National Security Division's highest priority is counterterrorism and we will continue to pursue justice against those who seek to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations."