Federal Grand Jury Indicts Terror Suspect Ciccolo
.jpg) FBI agents collect evidence from Ciccolo's apartment in Adams on July 4. A federal grand jury indicted the suspect Thursday on firearm and assault charges. |
ADAMS, Mass. — Terror suspect Alexander Ciccolo has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a firearms and assault charges.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Adams resident was indicted in U.S. District Court in Springfield on one count of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and one count of assault with a deadly weapon and causing bodily injury to a person assisting an officer of the United States in the performance of official duties.
The first charge results from Ciccolo's arrest on July 4, during which agents with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force for Western Massachusetts said they found four firearms in his possession, delivered to him minutes before by an FBI informant; the second for allegedly stabbing a nurse with a pen at the Franklin County House of Corrections.
Ciccolo was ordered detained without bail on July 14 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine Robertson based on evidence related to those charges, and which included the alleged finding of "partial Molotov cocktails" in his Murray Street apartment and statements given to the FBI that indicated support of ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), a designated terrorist organization, and intention to do harm.
According to prosecutors, Ciccolo had spoken with a cooperating witness in recorded conversations about his plans to commit acts of terrorism inspired by ISIL, including setting off improvised explosive devices, such as pressure cookers filled with black powder, nails, ball bearings and glass, in places where large numbers of people congregate, like college cafeterias. Prior to his arrest, agents said they had observed Ciccolo purchase a pressure cooker similar to that used in the Boston Marathon bombings.
The Boston area native had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in jail — a driving under the influence charge — so was not legally able to possess a weapon. He had allegedly taken possession of a Colt AR-15 .223 caliber rifle, a SigArms Model SG550-1 556 rifle, a Glock 17-9 mm pistol, and a Glock 20-10 mm pistol.
The Molotov cocktails were believed to be shredded Styrofoam soaking in motor oil. Ciccolo had previously stated that this mixture would cause the fire from the exploded devices to stick to people's skin and make it harder to put the fire out, according to the FBI.
The charge of being a felon in possession of firearms provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of assault with a dangerous weapon causing bodily injury provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
It is not clear if further charges against Ciccolo will be forthcoming.
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