An Adams, Massachusetts, man faces federal charges he was preparing to attack a college in support of the Islamic State.
The feds say 23-year-old Alexander Ciccolo plotted to use a pressure cooker bomb, Molotov cocktails and four guns. They’re not saying which college was targeted.
The U.S. Attorney’s office cites a close acquaintance saying Ciccolo has a long history with mental illness and in the last year a half became obsessed with Islam.
FBI agents tracked Ciccolo’s statements on Facebook and then had a cooperating witness stay in touch with him as his plans developed. They had him under surveillance when he purchased a pressure cooker at the North Adams Walmart. And after the cooperating witness delivered him the guns, the FBI arrested him.
Taken to the Franklin County jail, the U.S. Attorney’s office says Ciccolo injured a nurse, stabbing her in the head with a pen.
His attorney, David Hoose, has not answered calls for comment.
A detention hearing is scheduled at Springfield federal court Tuesday afternoon.
The Associated Press is reporting Ciccolo is the son of a Boston police captain.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said the intended target was a college “cafeteria.” That’s not clear from court documents.