The Adams, Massachusetts, man accused of plotting to attack a college with guns and homemade bombs will be arraigned Wednesday in federal court in Springfield.
The feds say 23-year-old Alexander Ciccolo planned to carry out the attack on behalf of the group that calls itself the Islamic State , or ISIS.
But neither of the two charges contained in a federal indictment against Ciccolo focus on domestic terrorism. One is a guns charge – prosecutors say an FBI cooperating witness gave him rifles and handguns, at Ciccolo’s request. And because of a past drunk driving conviction, it’s illegal under federal law for him to possess firearms.
Ciccolo, who’s father is a Boston Police captain, also faces an assault charge for stabbing a nurse at the Franklin County jail in the head with a pen. At a court hearing a couple weeks ago, Ciccolo’s lawyer called that a “compulsive, angry act” and says his client “feels bad about that.”