usa-explosions-boston.jpg

The remains of an explosive device found at the 2013 Boston Marathon bomb scene.

(Joint Terrorism Task Force of Boston)

An updated version of this story is now available at MassLive.

_____________________________________________________

A Berkshire County man has been arrested on allegations he sought to aid ISIS in a terrorism plot.

A criminal complaint was filed against Alexander Ciccolo, of Adams, in United States District Court by a special agent with the FBI. The complaint was unsealed by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Monday.

Ciccolo was arrested Saturday, July 4, as he was walking and carrying a duffel bag containing four firearms, the criminal complaint states. Due to previous a conviction, Ciccolo is prohibited from possessing firearms.

The FBI says he ordered the firearms from a confidential source working with Western Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Prosecutors allege Ciccolo, also known as "Ali Al Amriki," told the witness of "plans to commit acts of terrorism" and found the work of ISIS inspiring.

He reportedly also said in recorded conversations that he intended to detonate pressure cookers full of "black powder, nails, ball bearings and glass, in places where large numbers of people congregate, like college cafeterias."

During meetings with the witness in Pittsfield and Springfield, he reportedly said he sought to travel outside the state to attack civilians, law enforcement and members of the military. In addition college campuses, Ciccolo said he intended to bomb two bars and a police station.

Law enforcement authorities have not yet released the specific intended targets of his planned attacks.

Before his arrest, the FBI says Ciccolo purchased a pressure cooker similar to ones used in the Boston Marathon Bombings.

He is the son of Boston Police Department Captain Robert Ciccolo, who WHDH reports was a first responder to the Boston Marathon Bombings two years ago and has been on the force for over 25 years.

RELATED: Family of man accused of seeking to aid ISIS says they're 'saddened and disappointed' by his actions



Agents found several partially constructed "Molotov cocktails" in his Adams apartment, the U.S. Attorney's Office says. "These incendiary devices contained what appeared to be shredded Styrofoam soaking in motor oil."

He reportedly said that the mixture would "cause the fire from the exploded devices to stick to people's skin and make it harder to put the fire out," the U.S. Attorney's Office states.

Ciccolo is believed to be a supporter of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also referred to as ISIS) by law enforcement.

A detention hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Springfield.

Read the criminal complaint below.