FBI foils terror plot targeting N.C. grocery store, restaurant

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Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The FBI foiled a terror plot to attack people at a grocery store and fast-food restaurant in North Carolina on New Year's Eve, the Justice Department announced Friday.

Authorities arrested Christian Sturdivant, 18, on charges he attempted to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The criminal complaint, filed Wednesday, was unsealed after he appeared in federal court in Charlotte on Friday.

Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said Sturdivant was in the "final stages of planning a mass-casualty attack" at the grocery store in Mint Hill. He allegedly planned to use knives and hammers to carry out the attack, which also would have targeted a fast food restaurant. Eisenberg said Sturdivant wanted to become a martyr for ISIS.

"Notes from his home appear to reflect intent to harm as many people as possible and terrorize the nation," Eisenberg said in a statement.

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The arrest affidavit said the FBI field office in Charlotte received a tip that Sturdivant posted multiple social media messages supporting the Islamic State terror group. One message showed two figurines of Jesus with a message that said, "May Allah curse the cross worshipers."

The complaint said Sturdivant began communicating with a "covert employee" -- whom he thought was a member of ISIS -- online on Dec. 12. Sturdivant allegedly said, "I will do jihad soon" and described himself as "a soldier of the state."

Sturdivant is also accused of sending a voice message pledging a loyalty oath to ISIS.

During a search of Sturdivant's residence on Monday, authorities said they found handwritten documents detailing the planned New Year's attack.

"This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year's Eve," Attorney General Pam Bondi said. "The Department of Justice remains vigilant in our pursuit of evil ISIS sympathizers -- anyone plotting to commit such depraved attacks will face the full force of the law."

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