A Coeur d’Alene teen pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Alexander Scott Mercurio was arrested in April 2024 after FBI agents learned of his allegiance with the Islamic State group online, according to an affidavit from the case. Mercurio planned to carry out a suicide mission at several churches using knives, guns, fire and other weapons to “kill as many people as possible.” Days before his planned attack on local churches, Mercurio stood before an Islamic State group flag, holding a knife and pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group, often referred to as ISIS.

He was taken into custody before carrying out any of his violent plans. At the time of his arrest, Mercurio was 18. He graduated from Coeur d’Alene P

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