ADAMS, Mass. -- Alexander Ciccolo, the Adams man accused of plotting to commit terrorist acts on behalf of ISIL, will be in federal court in Springfield on Tuesday afternoon. He's accused of plotting to kill people on behalf of the Islamic terror group.
In an affidavit released Monday, it was determined Ciccolo, 23, had been recorded talking with a cooperating witness about a plan inspired by ISIL to use a pressure cooker filled with black powder, nails, ball bearings and glass, in places where large numbers of people congregate, like college cafeterias.
Ciccolo was arrested after the delivery of four guns that he ordered from a person working with the Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force.
When the FBI searched his apartment, they found Molotov cocktails. Those contained what appeared 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.
When the FBI raided 10 Murray Street, Apartment C, neighbors were stunned, but said Ciccolo's behavior did not at any time seem stable.
They said Ciccolo would change his identity daily. At first, he said he was a Native American and would wear feathers. At another time, he participated in Buddhist peace marches. They described him as a young kid who needed help with mental illness but never thought he would be violent.
Ciccolo's own father, a Boston Police Captain, turned him into the FBI when he said he started obsessing about fighting overseas for the Islamic State. The FBI planted a cooperating witness, who Ciccolo ended up speaking to about a plan to attack college dorms and cafeterias in support of ISIL. On July 3, the FBI says he bought a pressure cooker from the Walmart down the street.
On July 4, Ciccolo bought firearms from the cooperating witness which gave authorities enough evidence to arrest him and search apartment C.
The FBI took Ciccolo to the Franklin County House of Corrections. In a standard checkup with a nurse, Ciccolo grabbed a pen and stabbed her in the head.
A detention hearing is being held Tuesday afternoon in Springfield where more information about Ciccolo's alleged plan is expected to be released.