The FBI has arrested a man who talked about detonating a bomb during a July 4th celebration in downtown Cleveland, the bureau announced Monday.

Demetrius Nathaniel Pitts was arrested Sunday after he met with an undercover FBI agent, Stephen Anthony, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office, told reporters at a news conference.

Pitts, also known as Abdur Raheem Rafeeq, revealed his allegiance to al Qaeda during the meeting and a desire to take part in an attack on the Fourth of July. He also said he wanted to kill members of the military and their families, as well as federal and local agents, according to the FBI.

The FBI began monitoring Pitts last year due to his messages on social media, which Anthony described as “disturbing.”

During one conversation with an undercover agent, Pitts said, “I did tell myself that their holiday is coming up. The Fourth of July. Independence Day. What would hit them in the core? Blow up. Have a bomb. Blow up at the 4 th of July parade,” according to Anthony.

Anthony said Pitts discussed topics such as a hatred for the military and a “wanting to chop off heads and hands.”

Pitts conducted reconnaissance of downtown Cleveland, walking throughout the city and surveilling locations to determine where to park a van filled with explosives for a large-scale attack, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.

Pitts also talked about a future attack in Philadelphia, where he previously lived, the FBI said.

Pitts is expected to appear in court Monday. He was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, Herdman said.

He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.