FBI says it thwarted a possible New Year’s attack inspired by the Islamic State

United States – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported on Friday that it thwarted a plan to attack a supermarket and a fast-food restaurant in North Carolina during New Year’s Eve, arresting a man who, according to authorities, was inspired by the Islamic State (IS) group and had pledged allegiance to extremist militants.

Christian Sturdivant, 18, was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, after authorities indicated he communicated his attack plans to an undercover FBI employee posing as a confidant who encouraged him.

He was arrested by federal agents on Wednesday and remained in custody following a court appearance on Friday morning. Another hearing was scheduled for January 7. The attorney who represented Sturdivant in federal court on Friday did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

An FBI affidavit filed in the case indicated that Sturdivant began to be investigated last month after receiving information that a social media account, which authorities linked to him, had posted messages of support for ISIS.

Among them were posts showing a bulletproof vest and appearing to promote violence, according to the affidavit, and the visible name of the account referred to the deceased ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. According to the document, Sturdivant began communicating on social media with someone he believed supported his plans, but who was actually an undercover FBI employee.