The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Friday that it had thwarted an alleged plan for an ISIS-inspired attack using knives and hammers on the eve of the New Year and arrested an 18-year-old man.
Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill, North Carolina, has been charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.
According to investigators, the plot targeted a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in North Carolina.
The FBI had placed Sturdivant under constant surveillance for several days, including on Christmas, as stated by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for Western North Carolina.
"Agents were prepared to arrest him earlier if he left his home with weapons," Ferguson said at a news conference. "At no point was the public in harm's way," he added.
Sturdivant had been planning the attack for nearly a year, and in December, he communicated online with two undercover agents from the FBI and the New York Police Department, whom he believed to be connected to ISIS.
FBI Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle said that during a search of Sturdivant's home, investigators found a handwritten document titled "New Year's Attack 2026," which allegedly outlined plans to stab as many as 20 victims and target responding police officers.
If convicted, Sturdivant faces up to 20 years in prison, according to court documents.
According to an Associated Press report, the investigation began last month after authorities linked Sturdivant to a social media account that posted content supportive of ISIS. The account's display name referenced Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of the extremist group.