Idaho Man Gets 18 Years for ISIS Church Attack Plot

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — A 21-year-old Coeur d'Alene man was sentenced on November 10, 2026, to 18 years in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS in a planned attack on Idaho churches, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Read the Department of Justice release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/idaho-man-sentenced-18-years-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-plot-attack

Alexander Scott Mercurio, 21, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge David C. Nye of the District of Idaho, according to the release.

The sentence also includes lifetime supervised release, according to the release.

Mercurio was convicted of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, according to the release.

Church Attack Plan, Father's Firearms, ISIS Pledge

According to court records cited in the release, Mercurio planned to incapacitate his father with a metal pipe and take his father's firearms for use in the attack.

He planned a mass casualty attack on Idaho churches in the name of ISIS, according to the release.

According to the release, he also planned to use flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives and a machete in the attacks.

A search of his house found butane canisters, lighters, a pair of handcuffs, a knife and a machete, as well as several firearms belonging to his father, according to the release.

Days before the planned attack, Mercurio stood before an ISIS flag holding a knife and pledged his allegiance to ISIS, according to the release.

April 2024 Arrest, Online Repository, Joint Investigation

The FBI arrested Mercurio on April 6, 2024, one day before his planned attack, according to the release.

In early 2023, he had created an online repository for pro-ISIS content with the purpose of spreading the doctrine of the Islamic State, according to the release.

"Alexander Scott Mercurio planned to attack that fundamental freedom by bringing death and destruction to several churches," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security M. Scott Proctor.

"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 John C. Shirts for the District of Idaho.

"With today's sentencing, this individual is being held accountable for pledging allegiance to ISIS and planning an attack on U.S. soil," said Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division.

FBI

Task Force Investigation, Federal Prosecution, Sentence Imposed

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case, with assistance from the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and the Ada County Sheriff's Office, according to the release.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather S. Patricco and David G. Robins for the District of Idaho prosecuted the case, with Trial Attorney Matthew R. Hracho of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section, according to the release.

Mercurio will serve the 18-year prison sentence imposed on November 10, 2026, followed by lifetime supervised release, according to the release.

Anyone with information about a possible threat can contact the FBI or submit a tip through the FBI's tip line.

Sources

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, Official Press Release No. 26-1350, "Idaho Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS in Plot to Attack Churches," November 10, 2026.