Coeur d’Alene, ID — A 20-year-old Coeur d’Alene man, identified as Alexander Scott Mercurio, has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Federal investigators say Mercurio planned a violent attack on multiple Idaho churches before he was arrested just a day prior to carrying it out.
Federal Investigation Uncovers Plot
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, Mercurio admitted to pledging allegiance to ISIS and planning an attack on behalf of the extremist group. The FBI began investigating Mercurio after uncovering evidence that he had been spreading ISIS propaganda online and preparing for a domestic act of terrorism in northern Idaho.
Court documents reveal that in early 2023, Mercurio began creating an online repository for pro-ISIS materials. Prosecutors said his goal was to distribute extremist content and recruit followers sympathetic to ISIS’s violent ideology.
Initially, Mercurio expressed interest in traveling overseas to join ISIS, but when he was unable to make the trip, he turned his focus toward planning an attack within the United States, as reported.
Planned Church Attacks in Coeur d’Alene
Investigators say Mercurio’s targets were several churches in the Coeur d’Alene area, which he allegedly planned to attack on April 7, 2024. Authorities reported that he had obtained supplies and weapons in preparation for the assault. Just days before the planned attack, Mercurio reportedly posed in front of an ISIS flag, holding a knife, and pledging allegiance to the terrorist organization in a photo used as propaganda.
His arrest came on April 6, 2024, when FBI agents and local law enforcement took him into custody before he could act on his plan. The swift intervention prevented what authorities described as a potentially devastating act of domestic terrorism.
Charges, Sentencing, and Ongoing Investigation
Mercurio has now pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, a serious federal offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2026, before Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather S. Patricco and David G. Robins, alongside attorneys from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Officials Praise Law Enforcement Collaboration
The FBI, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, and Ada County Sheriff’s Office all played key roles in the investigation and arrest. Davis stated that the case underscores the importance of community vigilance and timely information-sharing in preventing domestic terrorist threats.
Authorities urge citizens to report suspicious online behavior or threats to law enforcement immediately.
What are your thoughts on this case, and do you believe online radicalization poses a growing threat in small U.S. communities? Share your views in the comments below — your perspective matters.
