The US detains a former marine who intended to carry out an attack on behalf of the Islamic State on Christmas

Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a former US Marine who intended to attack a busy tourist pier in San Francisco (California) on Christmas Day on behalf of the Islamic State (IS).Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26, came to the attention of U.S. authorities in late September for his social media posts supporting jihadists, according to court documents filed by the FBI.For example, Jameson celebrated on his Facebook account the attack that left eight dead on October 31 in Manhattan (New York) perpetrated by a man who also claimed to act on behalf of the Islamic State.It was a regular FBI informant who reported Jameson’s cyber activity to the agency.In early December, an undercover FBI agent who presented himself as a member of the Islamic State came into contact with Jameson.The man now detained offered to do “anything” in the name of the Islamic State, and emphasized his military experience in the “army of the infidels” to carry out an attack.According to the FBI, Jameson was referring to his time in the US Marine Corps in 2009, from which he was expelled for “fraudulent enlistment” by lying about the asthma he suffers from.During his time in the Marines, Jameson stood out for his skill as a sniper.Asked by the undercover agent about a specific plan, Jameson proposed an attack on the tourist Pier 39 in San Francisco on Christmas Day.Jameson proposed a combined attack with explosives and firearms, asked the undercover agent for a rifle and material for the explosives, and told him that he was “ready to die.”His plan was to make the explosives in a remote camping area and then store them at his home in Modesto, California.On December 18, the former Marine contacted the undercover agent and told him that he no longer saw himself capable of carrying out the planned attack, so the FBI decided to request a warrant to search Jameson’s house and get more information.In the former Marine’s home they found a letter with multiple Islamic references assuming responsibility for some acts, as well as a document of his last will and testament, as well as several weapons and some ammunition.During the search, the agents detained Jameson, who expressed his support for the Islamic State and affirmed his willingness to carry out an attack.In a statement from the Justice Department, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said FBI agents “have once again helped thwart an alleged plot to kill Americans.” EFEPost navigation