1 00:00:04,879 --> 00:00:05,599 Speaker 1: What's going on. 2 00:00:05,759 --> 00:00:08,119 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for listening to this podcast. It 3 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:10,080 is heard live every day from noon to three on 4 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,839 WBT Radio in Charlotte. And if you want exclusive content 5 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:17,160 like invitations to events, the weekly live stream, my daily 6 00:00:17,199 --> 00:00:19,480 show prep with all the links, become a patron, go 7 00:00:19,559 --> 00:00:23,399 to dpeakclendershow dot com. Make sure you hit the subscribe button. 8 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,320 Get every episode for free right to your smartphone or tablet, 9 00:00:26,359 --> 00:00:31,079 And again, thank you so much for your support. The 10 00:00:31,199 --> 00:00:35,039 US Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson, 11 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:41,280 also former WBT intern like twenty five years ago. Anyway, 12 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,759 held a news conference. It just concluded. I was watching 13 00:00:45,799 --> 00:00:50,840 it as it was occurring, I recorded it and I 14 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:54,560 will rerack it to play it. So this just wrapped up. 15 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,520 It started at eleven thirty. The show obviously starts at noon, 16 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:00,640 so it just wrapped up. And during the break I 17 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:03,000 will get the audio racked up so you can hear 18 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:04,599 how this unfolded. 19 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:07,040 Speaker 1: But the story. 20 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 2: Is that an eighteen year old from mint Hill, which 21 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:14,439 is one of the small towns outside of Charlotte, though 22 00:01:14,439 --> 00:01:17,719 not so small anymore. Mint Hill sort of on that 23 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:23,239 eastern southeastern side of Charlotte in Mecklimer County. The eighteen 24 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:27,319 year old Christian Stirt Event has been arrested and charged 25 00:01:27,359 --> 00:01:32,120 with attempting to provide materials support to ISIS after allegedly 26 00:01:32,159 --> 00:01:37,239 planning an attack on New Year's Eve where he was. 27 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:43,359 According to the criminal complaint here at the federal level, 28 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:52,640 he was targeting a grocery store and a fast food restaurant. 29 00:01:53,159 --> 00:01:56,760 Apparently what came out in the Q and A also 30 00:01:56,959 --> 00:02:04,000 was that this individual worked at a king and that 31 00:02:04,079 --> 00:02:06,719 may be related, so he may have looked to target 32 00:02:06,799 --> 00:02:08,280 his own place of employment. 33 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 1: I'm not sure. 34 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 2: They have not disclosed the names of the specific businesses 35 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:17,520 that he was planning to attack on New Year's Eve. 36 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:24,039 According to the authorities, he had been engaged in physical training, 37 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:27,000 so he was doing a lot of you know pt. 38 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:33,639 He had stolen weapons after his grandfather who lived with 39 00:02:33,719 --> 00:02:38,159 him in Mint Hill. Apparently his grandfather, his grandparents, they 40 00:02:38,159 --> 00:02:42,680 tried to to take all of the kinds of weapons 41 00:02:42,759 --> 00:02:45,960 and lock them up and stuff, but he stole others. 42 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:51,280 He stole weapons and then hid them under his bed. 43 00:02:52,599 --> 00:02:56,719 He faces a maximum of twenty years in prison if convicted. 44 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,240 The arrest took place on New Year's Eve. He was 45 00:03:01,319 --> 00:03:05,759 under twenty four to seven surveillance at the time because 46 00:03:06,599 --> 00:03:11,479 they were investigating and building a case and they knew 47 00:03:11,479 --> 00:03:14,599 he was planning to do something on New Year's Eve 48 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,599 to target a grocery store because according to US attorney 49 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:21,400 rus Ferguson, he knew that there would be a lot 50 00:03:21,439 --> 00:03:25,000 of people at the grocery store, but he was also 51 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:30,120 apparently talking about potentially targeting multiple grocery stores in mint Hill. 52 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,840 He did write some sort of a manifesto. He pledged 53 00:03:34,879 --> 00:03:38,039 his loyalty to ISIS, which he did that in a 54 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:42,960 recording that he sent to individuals or an individual that 55 00:03:43,039 --> 00:03:47,319 he thought was an ISIS operative but turned out to 56 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:50,280 be undercover law enforcement. 57 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 1: Specifically FBI. 58 00:03:52,199 --> 00:03:58,599 Speaker 2: He had apparently contacted two different undercover FBI agents as 59 00:03:58,639 --> 00:04:01,520 well as I think a New York Police Department undercover 60 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,400 officer via social media he had been posting. They called 61 00:04:05,479 --> 00:04:09,439 him a prolific poster on social media, specifically on TikTok, 62 00:04:11,319 --> 00:04:15,599 but he would also go into various chat rooms. They 63 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,879 say he was radicalized online and according to the FBI 64 00:04:19,959 --> 00:04:26,319 Special Agent in charge, James Barnacle, that typically it takes 65 00:04:26,959 --> 00:04:30,959 anywhere from one to four years to radicalize somebody like 66 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:36,560 this online, but once radicalized, they will mobilize to act 67 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:42,800 in just just mere months, two to three months, once 68 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:48,439 sufficiently radicalized. Also, there is a bit of history here. 69 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:54,800 He was not exactly unknown to law enforcement. Apparently back 70 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:58,959 in January of twenty twenty two, so now four years ago, 71 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:07,040 he came across the FBI radar because he had attempted 72 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:11,480 to or successfully had contacted Isis when he was like 73 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:16,639 fourteen years old or so, fourteen or fifteen, and at 74 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:23,600 that point he when they had him investigated and then 75 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,879 they put him in for psychological counseling. And at that 76 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:31,319 point the FBI apparently closed its investigation into him because 77 00:05:31,399 --> 00:05:37,279 he was getting the help that he needed, so to speak. Well, 78 00:05:37,319 --> 00:05:41,040 then he reached back out a couple of well but 79 00:05:41,879 --> 00:05:43,839 I think they're saying within the last month and a 80 00:05:43,879 --> 00:05:47,439 half or so, reached back out to people that he 81 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:52,600 thought were Isis and that's what prompted the reopening of 82 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:56,639 an investigation against the guy. And that occurred somewhere around 83 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:02,959 like the second week of December, and from there it 84 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:07,959 was just a full blown investigation into him, and that's 85 00:06:07,959 --> 00:06:12,079 why they put him under twenty four seven surveillance, and 86 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:14,319 they were ready to pick him up, you know, if 87 00:06:14,319 --> 00:06:18,000 he was gonna, you know, if he walked out of 88 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:20,720 the house wearing all black as he did. Apparently back 89 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:24,519 in January of twenty two, his family had stopped him. 90 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:29,920 His grandfather had stopped him from a planned attack where 91 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,839 he was going to as was outlined in an ISIS 92 00:06:34,959 --> 00:06:40,000 magazine that said, Hey, here's a neat thing to do. 93 00:06:40,759 --> 00:06:44,160 Pledge your allegiance to Isis, dress all in black and 94 00:06:44,199 --> 00:06:48,199 then take hammers and knives and go attack people randomly. 95 00:06:49,079 --> 00:06:51,319 And so that's what this kid was going to do 96 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,560 back in January of twenty two. Apparently he had plans 97 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:56,439 to go out and just ring the doorbells of his 98 00:06:56,519 --> 00:07:02,480 neighbors and attack them. So again he was thwarted in 99 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:06,560 that effort by his family. He was then sent for 100 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:11,160 psychological counseling and such. But then he reaches back out 101 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:15,360 in December around I think they said December twelfth or so. 102 00:07:15,399 --> 00:07:22,759 That then prompts the investigation, the surveillance. They the FBI. 103 00:07:23,879 --> 00:07:26,560 According to the US Attorney's Office and the US Attorney 104 00:07:26,639 --> 00:07:32,160 Rus Ferguson, they went to a magistrate in Mecklenburg County 105 00:07:32,199 --> 00:07:35,720 so a state level magistrate, don't know who. They did 106 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:38,079 not name the magistrate, but they went to a magistrate 107 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:43,519 first to try to get him involuntarily committed because of 108 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:47,920 what he had been saying in his communications and in 109 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,480 the chat room messages and such, and on social media. 110 00:07:51,519 --> 00:07:54,360 He was talking about how he wanted to be martyred 111 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:59,160 and you know, have the law enforcement kill him and 112 00:07:59,199 --> 00:08:01,279 all of this, and so they were like, hey, we 113 00:08:01,319 --> 00:08:04,879 need to get this guy involuntarily committed. That request was 114 00:08:05,079 --> 00:08:09,759 denied by a magistrate, a state level magistrate. They then 115 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,920 went to a federal magistrate, and the federal magistrate gave 116 00:08:13,959 --> 00:08:17,639 them the probable cause to pick this guy up, which 117 00:08:17,639 --> 00:08:23,600 they did on New Year's Eve. So because he was 118 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:27,399 under the surveillance authority say that he was that the 119 00:08:27,399 --> 00:08:30,839 public was never in any danger because they had him 120 00:08:30,839 --> 00:08:35,720 on their radar. They were watching him. So that's the 121 00:08:35,919 --> 00:08:39,039 extent of what I gathered out of the press conference 122 00:08:39,039 --> 00:08:41,559 that again just wrapped up about fifteen minutes ago, ran 123 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:42,480 about half an hour. 124 00:08:42,759 --> 00:08:43,759 Speaker 1: I do have the audio. 125 00:08:44,039 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 2: We can take a listen to it, but the phone 126 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:48,399 line's open as always seven oh four five seven zero 127 00:08:48,919 --> 00:08:51,559 one oh seven nine. That's also the WBT text line 128 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:53,320 as well. You can also hit me up on Twitter 129 00:08:53,399 --> 00:08:56,600 at Pete Callander. You know, stories are powerful. They help 130 00:08:56,679 --> 00:09:00,399 us make sense of things, to understand experiences. Stories connect 131 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:03,320 us to the people of our past while transcending generations. 132 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:05,840 They help us process the meaning of life and our 133 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:10,080 stories are told through images and videos. Preserve your stories 134 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:13,320 with Creative Video started in nineteen ninety seven and Minhill, 135 00:09:13,399 --> 00:09:16,039 North Carolina. It was the first company to provide this 136 00:09:16,159 --> 00:09:20,399 valuable service, converting images, photos and videos into high quality 137 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:24,480 produced slide shows, videos and albums. The trusted, talented and 138 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:27,200 dedicated team at Creative Video will go over all of 139 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:31,200 the details with you to create a perfect project. Satisfaction guaranteed. 140 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,320 Drop them off in person or mail them. They'll be 141 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:35,639 ready in a week or two. Memorial videos for your 142 00:09:35,639 --> 00:09:41,440 loved ones, videos for rehearsal, dinners, weddings, graduations, Christmas, family vacations, birthdays, 143 00:09:41,519 --> 00:09:45,360 or just your family stories all told through images. That's 144 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:48,679 what your photos and videos are. They are your life 145 00:09:48,759 --> 00:09:51,399 told through the eyes of everyone around you and all 146 00:09:51,399 --> 00:09:53,600 who came before you, and they will tell others to 147 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:57,919 come who you are. Visit creative video dot com so 148 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,840 the US Attorney's office announces that they have made an 149 00:10:00,919 --> 00:10:02,879 arrest an eighteen year old. By the way, he is 150 00:10:02,919 --> 00:10:09,000 a US citizen from mint Hill. Christian Sturt event is 151 00:10:09,039 --> 00:10:15,440 his name. He is charged with plotting an ISIS inspired 152 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:23,159 terrorist attack targeting a grocery store or multiple stores, maybe 153 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:28,600 a fast food place or convenience store, gas station, with 154 00:10:29,279 --> 00:10:32,559 hammers and knives. He was trying to get his hands 155 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:36,919 on a firearm. He was talking to what he thought 156 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:42,120 was ISIS operators inside the US, but it turned out 157 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:45,159 they were not ISIS. They were in fact members of 158 00:10:45,159 --> 00:10:48,279 the FBI and the New York Police Department that he 159 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:54,159 had contacted via online social media platforms. I'm not sure 160 00:10:54,759 --> 00:10:58,080 what all the platforms used. One that was mentioned was TikTok. 161 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:02,399 He apparently was what they called a prolific poster on 162 00:11:02,519 --> 00:11:03,279 social media. 163 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 1: So here is the. 164 00:11:05,919 --> 00:11:09,679 Speaker 2: News conference that was just held about a half hour 165 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:11,960 before the show started. And again this is US Attorney 166 00:11:12,039 --> 00:11:14,000 Russ ferguson Good morning. 167 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:17,799 Speaker 3: This audio will correct and it is a happy new year, 168 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,159 although it came very close to not being such a 169 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:22,639 happy new year for a lot of people this year. 170 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:26,000 I'm here to announce, in partnership with the Minhill Police 171 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,679 Department and the FBI that we have foiled a terrorist 172 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,720 attack that was planned to take place on New Year's 173 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:32,559 Eve in Minhill, North Carolina. 174 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 4: Now, New Year's Eve, we all know is a wonderful 175 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:36,000 time where we. 176 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,879 Speaker 3: All celebrate the past year, we look forward to and 177 00:11:38,919 --> 00:11:41,480 plan the next year. And everyone deserves to do that, 178 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,559 to celebrate the new year without being concerned about their 179 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:47,480 personal safety. And thanks to law enforcement that stands with 180 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,159 me today and others, we are fortunate that people can 181 00:11:50,399 --> 00:11:53,360 do that. The FBI, the Minhill Police Department, the New 182 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,360 York Police Department worked around the clock on this matter, 183 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,279 not just building a case for us, but surveilling the 184 00:11:59,279 --> 00:12:02,200 subject and making sure the public was safe at every moment, 185 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,919 including Christmas Day. They worked around the clock on this 186 00:12:05,399 --> 00:12:06,840 and I very much appreciate it. 187 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:08,879 Speaker 4: The defendant here lived in Minhill. 188 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,039 Speaker 3: The planned attack was to take place in Minhill, and 189 00:12:11,039 --> 00:12:12,919 I want to thank Chief Joe Hatley of the Minhill 190 00:12:12,919 --> 00:12:15,919 Police Department for being with me here today and for 191 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:16,960 your work over the holidays. 192 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 4: Chief, I really appreciate it. 193 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:21,159 Speaker 3: I'm sure you know Jim Barnacle by now he's the 194 00:12:21,159 --> 00:12:23,559 Special Agent in charge of the FBI for North Carolina. 195 00:12:24,279 --> 00:12:27,120 The FBI worked tirelessly on this case, and I can't 196 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:30,200 thank you enough for that. FBI agents spent their Christmas 197 00:12:30,279 --> 00:12:33,399 Day surveilling a subject so that families in Charlotte and 198 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,759 Minhill and western North Carolina could spend their day celebrating 199 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:39,879 with their families. And I'm very thankful for that. That 200 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,240 is true public service. If you see a police officer 201 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,639 or an FBI agent, please thank them for spending their 202 00:12:44,639 --> 00:12:46,840 holidays on this so that we all could spend our 203 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:49,679 holidays with our families. I also want to thank the 204 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:52,080 prosecutors of my office who also worked over the holidays 205 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:54,759 getting a search warrant and an arrest warrant and making 206 00:12:54,799 --> 00:12:56,720 sure that the public was safe and that this. 207 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 4: Terrorist attack was foiled. 208 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 3: The defendant here is an eighteen year old named Christian Sturdivant. 209 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:04,440 He has been planning this attack for about a year, 210 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:07,720 but he's been planning an attack for far longer than that. 211 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 4: He was planning this. 212 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:11,679 Speaker 3: Attack in support of ISIS, and we have charged them 213 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:15,399 with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, 214 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,960 the heroization being, of course, ISIS. Now this is still 215 00:13:19,039 --> 00:13:21,879 very much a active investigation we had to act quickly 216 00:13:21,919 --> 00:13:25,559 here to protect the public. So we are light on details, 217 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:27,480 but will tell you as much as we can, and 218 00:13:27,519 --> 00:13:29,960 mister Barnicle will probably tell you more than I will 219 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,799 about those charges, but I thought I would give you 220 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:34,039 an overview of what's in the federal complaint and the 221 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:35,159 charges that we charged. 222 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 4: So mister Surtivant started on the internet. 223 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 3: He started reading ISIS material, started going to ISIS websites, 224 00:13:42,639 --> 00:13:45,559 making TikTok videos, and eventually reached out to what he 225 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:48,399 thought was a member of ISIS, in reality, was an 226 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:52,320 undercover agent with NYPD in New York. He pledged his 227 00:13:52,399 --> 00:13:56,240 allegiance to ISIS with that undercover agent, and he disclosed 228 00:13:56,279 --> 00:14:00,000 his plans to quote do jihad soon. He then met 229 00:13:59,879 --> 00:14:03,480 a second undercover with the FBI, who he also thought 230 00:14:03,919 --> 00:14:06,960 was an ISIS participant, and he started to be very 231 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,960 specific with his plans. He talked with that undercover agent 232 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,360 again who he thought was ISIS. 233 00:14:11,399 --> 00:14:15,279 Speaker 4: He talked about where he was planning to do this attack. 234 00:14:15,039 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 3: Which was at a grocery store and a fast food 235 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:20,200 restaurant in mint Hill, places that we go every day 236 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,000 and don't think that we may be harmed. He talked 237 00:14:23,039 --> 00:14:26,159 about what means he would use to kill innocent people. 238 00:14:26,759 --> 00:14:28,919 He said he was gonna wear a kevlar vest and 239 00:14:29,159 --> 00:14:31,919 attack people with knives and hammers. And of course he 240 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,440 talked about when he was going to carry out this attack, 241 00:14:34,639 --> 00:14:37,720 which was New Year's Eve, a time when American life 242 00:14:37,799 --> 00:14:38,639 is on full display. 243 00:14:38,759 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 4: Right, We're all. 244 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:43,559 Speaker 3: Out there in crowds celebrating all that has happened this year, 245 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:44,120 all that is. 246 00:14:44,039 --> 00:14:46,039 Speaker 4: To come that we are so proud of. 247 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 3: And that is when he planned his attack to attack 248 00:14:49,639 --> 00:14:51,080 that American way of life. 249 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 4: The FBI executed a. 250 00:14:53,559 --> 00:14:56,679 Speaker 3: Search warrant at his home and they found the instrumentalities 251 00:14:56,679 --> 00:14:59,320 of the attack. They found hammers and knives hidden under 252 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:02,720 his bed. They found notes where he planned his attack 253 00:15:02,759 --> 00:15:06,120 and detailed his attack and plans for how. 254 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:07,759 Speaker 4: He was going to carry out this attack. 255 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 3: It was a very well planned, thought full attack that 256 00:15:12,559 --> 00:15:14,799 he had planned and that was fortunately foiled. 257 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 4: Here. 258 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,639 Speaker 3: He was preparing for jihad, and innocent people were going 259 00:15:17,639 --> 00:15:20,360 to die, and we're very, very fortunate they did not. 260 00:15:21,879 --> 00:15:24,360 But the fact that along the way, in this extensive 261 00:15:24,399 --> 00:15:27,360 planning of this attack, he encountered not one, but two 262 00:15:27,519 --> 00:15:31,480 undercover officers should make the public feel very very good 263 00:15:31,559 --> 00:15:34,360 and very safe because law enforcement is out there every 264 00:15:34,399 --> 00:15:36,240 day and we know they have a lot to do, 265 00:15:36,759 --> 00:15:38,600 but they have people out there making sure that as 266 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:41,279 people plan these terrorist attacks, they have stops so. 267 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:41,799 Speaker 4: They find it. 268 00:15:41,919 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 3: And they did find it here and on Christmas while 269 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:46,440 we were all opening presents, they were sitting in a 270 00:15:46,519 --> 00:15:49,960 driveway making sure that the public was safe, and we're very, 271 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:53,159 very appreciative of that. Mister Sortavant was arrested on New 272 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:55,159 Year's Eve, the day he planned his attack. Of course, 273 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:57,200 it did not become public today. It has been under 274 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:00,440 seal until today. He made his initial appearance in federal 275 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,200 court this morning about an hour ago, and this case 276 00:16:03,279 --> 00:16:06,480 is now moving through the judicial process, so he will 277 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,399 have a preliminary hearing after that and a detention hearing, 278 00:16:09,559 --> 00:16:12,120 and of course we will seek that he remained attained, 279 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:15,120 but that's up to a federal judge on that issue. 280 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:18,759 He faces a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years. But 281 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,480 as I always tell you, every individual defendant gets a 282 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:24,720 sentencing hearing where a judge takes into account a host 283 00:16:24,759 --> 00:16:27,679 of factors. Under the United States sentencing guidelines, they look 284 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:31,120 at that individual defendant, the judge he or she looks 285 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,440 that individual defendant and makes a decision on sentencing, So 286 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:37,120 we don't know what the ultimate sentence will be here. 287 00:16:38,279 --> 00:16:39,919 Speaker 4: Originally, I think it is notable. 288 00:16:40,279 --> 00:16:42,759 Speaker 3: As part of their efforts, the FBI took mister Sturtivant 289 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,159 to a state magistrate judge to try to have him 290 00:16:45,159 --> 00:16:48,559 involuntarily committed, and that was because he had threatened not 291 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:51,480 only other people's lives, but in the process said that 292 00:16:51,559 --> 00:16:54,360 he planned to die by a policeman shooting him, so 293 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,720 he had threatened other people's lives and self harm. But 294 00:16:57,759 --> 00:17:02,080 the state magister judge denied involuntary commitment. Fortunately, the FBI 295 00:17:02,159 --> 00:17:04,640 did not give up then and continue to build a 296 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:07,519 federal case and get the evidence they needed to charge 297 00:17:07,599 --> 00:17:10,160 him and detain him and keep everyone safe on New 298 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,640 Year's Eve. And I'm very very thankful for that, because 299 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,000 countless lives were saved here on New Year's Eve, everyone 300 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,599 is at the grocery store, we're all buying the things 301 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,319 we need to celebrate, and we could have had a significant, 302 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:23,079 significant loss of life and significant injury here. 303 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,319 Speaker 2: So all right, so let me stop there for a second, 304 00:17:25,319 --> 00:17:28,079 because I think it's important to note here, and I 305 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:34,279 don't think us Attorney Ferguson is mentioning this lightly, the 306 00:17:34,319 --> 00:17:39,279 fact that he felt it it important to highlight that 307 00:17:39,319 --> 00:17:44,119 they attempted to get an involuntary commitment order against this guy. 308 00:17:45,079 --> 00:17:49,799 And I believe this would be under the newly passed 309 00:17:51,079 --> 00:17:54,720 and you know, it took effect December one, Arena's Law, 310 00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:58,680 right that would allow for the involuntary commitments, although that 311 00:17:58,839 --> 00:18:02,880 element of it hasn't fully been rolled out. Think implementation 312 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:05,880 of that is next December. But Arena's Law was passed 313 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:09,000 and you know, took effect on December first. But like, 314 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:14,400 even though the involuntary commitment stuff has not been formalized 315 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:16,640 and has not rolled has not been rolled out yet, 316 00:18:17,039 --> 00:18:21,480 the message should have gone out to these magistrates, including 317 00:18:21,519 --> 00:18:25,240 the one in this case, that you know, there is 318 00:18:25,279 --> 00:18:28,759 a new way that you need to be approaching these 319 00:18:28,799 --> 00:18:33,160 types of proceedings, right. You need to kind of get 320 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:36,799 your head around this idea that if somebody is threatening 321 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,839 the lives of other people and they're talking about engaging 322 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:44,000 in jihad or whatever, and law enforcement comes in and says, 323 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:47,359 we need this person involuntarily committed. They are talking about 324 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:51,440 murdering people and then having themselves get gunned down to 325 00:18:51,519 --> 00:18:56,160 be martyred. And this magistrate says, no, not going to 326 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:59,559 do it, not going to do it. I don't think 327 00:18:59,599 --> 00:19:04,440 fergus and says this just you know, sort of off 328 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:06,920 the cuff. This was obviously part of a message he 329 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,680 is attempting to deliver, which is state magistrates are still 330 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,720 doing this. And imagine what would have happened if the 331 00:19:13,759 --> 00:19:18,839 Feds had not pursued it as they did. Right, what 332 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:22,319 if the Feds did not have enough evidence to get 333 00:19:22,319 --> 00:19:25,319 the probable cause, which they did get. You know, they 334 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:29,160 got it. They went to a federal magistrate and showed 335 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:32,200 probable cause to take this guy into custody. But what 336 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:34,640 if they didn't have all that they had? What if 337 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:38,759 they were missing something in The federal magistrate says, look, 338 00:19:38,799 --> 00:19:40,279 would love to help you out, but can't do it. 339 00:19:40,319 --> 00:19:45,559 You know, don't have enough evidence collected yet. But there 340 00:19:45,799 --> 00:19:48,920 was a mechanism, there was a mechanism that could have 341 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,039 been used to take this guy off the streets so 342 00:19:52,119 --> 00:19:55,440 he couldn't carry out his plan. And when it came 343 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:58,359 to the state level, the Mecklenburg County magistrate, what did 344 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:05,000 we see more of It's the same, this is the problem. 345 00:20:05,079 --> 00:20:06,039 Speaker 1: Well, it's part of the problem. 346 00:20:06,039 --> 00:20:09,359 Speaker 2: There are a lot of problems with our Mechlamberg judicial system, 347 00:20:09,599 --> 00:20:10,680 but I've covered a lot. 348 00:20:10,519 --> 00:20:11,039 Speaker 1: Of the issues. 349 00:20:11,519 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 2: All Right, Holiday football has arrived. 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It has now been open 378 00:21:57,160 --> 00:21:59,160 and so that's why they held the news conference. 379 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:00,279 Speaker 1: But they had a rerend. 380 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,039 Speaker 2: Did this individual who had been under twenty four to 381 00:22:02,039 --> 00:22:08,880 seven surveillance for pledging loyalty to ISIS and then planning 382 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:12,960 a New Year's Eve hammer and knife attack at a 383 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:17,839 grocery store and fast food place on New Year's Eve? 384 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,119 That was what he was planning to do, is to 385 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:22,599 just go and murder a bunch of people. They say 386 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:29,319 he was specifically interested in targeting Jews Christians and LGBT people. 387 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:34,279 Not sure how you would know automatically if someone is 388 00:22:34,319 --> 00:22:40,279 a Christian or Jewish or LGBT. Not really sure how 389 00:22:40,279 --> 00:22:43,799 that would like what the plan was for the grocery store. 390 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:46,359 They have not named the stores that he was targeting, 391 00:22:48,359 --> 00:22:51,200 although I suspect they will at some point here in 392 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:56,079 the upcoming court proceedings, according to the arrest Affid David 393 00:22:56,759 --> 00:23:02,119 the FBI. This according to WSOCTV, the FBI received tips 394 00:23:02,599 --> 00:23:06,519 about Christian stirred events social media posts supporting ISIS on 395 00:23:06,559 --> 00:23:10,799 December eighteenth. One post included an image of miniature figurines 396 00:23:10,839 --> 00:23:15,759 of Jesus with text proclaiming a curse on cross worshippers, 397 00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:20,720 which is consistent with the ISIS rhetoric that advocates violence 398 00:23:20,759 --> 00:23:26,839 against non believers. ISIS, of course, just reiterating what's in 399 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:31,400 their Holy book. Stirred Event began communicating with an undercover 400 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:35,039 employee that he thought was an ISIS member that apparently 401 00:23:35,039 --> 00:23:38,359 started about six days prior to the tips that the 402 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:41,839 FBI received that started on December twelfth, where he stated 403 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:45,160 quote I will do g had soon. He claimed to 404 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:48,599 be a soldier of the state, indicating his allegiance. 405 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:49,599 Speaker 1: To isis the Islamic state. 406 00:23:50,519 --> 00:23:52,680 Speaker 2: Further investigation, and by the way, for people who may 407 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:56,640 not be aware of this, like in Islam. 408 00:23:56,240 --> 00:23:56,839 Speaker 1: There are two. 409 00:23:56,920 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 2: There is a duality that is laid out out in 410 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:12,440 their holy texts, and it is the the world of Islam. 411 00:24:09,839 --> 00:24:12,519 Speaker 1: And then there is the world of war. And that's it. 412 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,279 Speaker 2: So you are either living under Islam or you are 413 00:24:17,319 --> 00:24:20,759 in the land of war, and the war is necessary 414 00:24:20,799 --> 00:24:24,200 to spread Islam, to conquer the infidels. And if you 415 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:26,599 die in the process, like this guy said he wanted 416 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:29,400 to be martyred, then you go to heaven and you 417 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:31,599 get all of the virgins. It's a win win really 418 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:34,000 for you. You know, you got now then nothing really 419 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:37,559 going on in your life. You can you know, murder 420 00:24:37,559 --> 00:24:40,400 and pillage your way across the continents and such. And 421 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:42,599 if you die in the process, well don't worry. 422 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:45,799 Speaker 1: You've got riches awaiting you in heaven as well. 423 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 2: You can see what makes this an attractive philosophy for 424 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,440 for people in the you know, the Middle Ages and such, 425 00:24:54,559 --> 00:24:59,279 the medieval times. So let me go back to the 426 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:03,599 s story here. Further investigations revealed Sturdevant sent a message 427 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:07,279 to the undercover employee December fourteenth, showing two hammers and 428 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:10,680 a knife, which is what they recovered when they searched 429 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:14,839 his house. He had them hidden under his bed, and 430 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:19,960 this aligns with a twenty sixteen ISIS propaganda magazine promoting 431 00:25:20,039 --> 00:25:23,359 knife attacks in Western countries, implying a clear intent to 432 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:27,720 execute violence. On December nineteenth, he sent the undercover employee 433 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:31,920 a voice recording pledging Bayat which is a loyalty oath 434 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:34,839 to ISIS, which is when you hear isis IS claiming 435 00:25:34,839 --> 00:25:39,440 credit for this attack. Whatever ISIS claims the credit because 436 00:25:39,599 --> 00:25:41,759 the purse. All you need to do in your attacks 437 00:25:41,839 --> 00:25:43,920 is to say I'm doing this for ISIS, and you 438 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:46,200 say that and then I IS like, yep, he's one 439 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:50,000 of us. Following a law enforcement search of his home, 440 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:56,440 investigators found handwritten documents titled New Year's Attack twenty twenty six, 441 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:01,200 which planned a well New Year's attack, listing items such 442 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:07,920 as tactical gloves, of vest and knives intended for use 443 00:26:08,039 --> 00:26:11,599 in an attack aimed at civilians, potentially targeting twenty to 444 00:26:11,640 --> 00:26:15,680 twenty one victims. The note indicated plans to attack police 445 00:26:15,960 --> 00:26:18,920 who would respond to the incident in pursuit of martyrdom. 446 00:26:19,759 --> 00:26:24,480 Items seized included two butcher knives, a blue hammer, and 447 00:26:24,519 --> 00:26:29,039 a wooden handle hammer that were reportedly hidden under his 448 00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:32,759 bed he had back in twenty twenty two. He had 449 00:26:32,759 --> 00:26:37,920 apparently gotten onto the radar of the FBI as well 450 00:26:38,359 --> 00:26:40,640 when he attempted to leave his house dressed all in 451 00:26:40,759 --> 00:26:44,759 black and with some I think a knife or maybe 452 00:26:44,759 --> 00:26:47,319 a hammer, and he was going to go door to 453 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:51,200 door around the neighborhood murdering his neighbors, and his grandfather 454 00:26:51,559 --> 00:26:56,920 thwarted that plan and stopped him and got law enforcement involved, 455 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:04,559 which thank you to the family right because without them Now, 456 00:27:04,839 --> 00:27:08,240 apparently the grandparents were not aware of this guy's social 457 00:27:08,279 --> 00:27:15,119 media posts and such. As part of the twenty twenty 458 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:19,559 two run in with law enforcement, he went in for 459 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:23,519 psychological counseling, but he was also ordered not to be 460 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:30,440 on social media, which he obviously ignored, so he violated 461 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:36,319 the terms of that of that restriction. So here's again 462 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,960 Russ Ferguson, US attorney at the press conference today. 463 00:27:39,799 --> 00:27:43,160 Speaker 3: We will be here at the federal level dedicated to 464 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,480 making sure the public is safe like we were in this case. 465 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:47,400 And I know that there's a lot that goes on 466 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:50,519 behind the scenes that's never public for investigative reasons, and 467 00:27:50,559 --> 00:27:51,519 it's very. 468 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:53,480 Speaker 4: Satisfaction. 469 00:27:53,559 --> 00:27:55,160 Speaker 3: It brings me satisfaction to be able to tell the 470 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:58,400 public what law enforcement is doing when you don't know it, 471 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:00,960 and what's going on behind the scenes to keep everyone safe. 472 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:03,160 So with that, I will turn it over to a 473 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:06,000 Special Agent Charge Barnacle, who can tell you a little 474 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:07,839 bit more about the details. 475 00:28:10,279 --> 00:28:14,200 Speaker 5: Thank you, mister Ferguson, and thank you Chief Hartley or 476 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:17,319 Hatley from the Minhill Police Department for your partnership in 477 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:20,640 this investigation. My name is James Barnacle. I am the 478 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:24,319 Special Agent Charge of the FBI. Here in North Carolina, 479 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:29,200 a Christian start evant pledged his loyalty to ISIS and 480 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:33,799 committed himself to commit to killing Americans on New Year's Eve. 481 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:39,079 This investigation unfolded quickly from the moment the FBI was 482 00:28:39,119 --> 00:28:42,759 notified of a potential threat of a terrorist inspired attack 483 00:28:42,799 --> 00:28:46,599 in North Carolina. We went all hands on decked. We 484 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:51,359 assessed the credibility of the threat. The investigation lasted about 485 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:57,720 two weeks, included numerous investigative techniques, partnerships with law enforcement agencies, 486 00:28:58,119 --> 00:29:03,440 and cooperation from the American public this Christmas. The FBI 487 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:07,279 and our partners worked to protect the American people. We 488 00:29:07,359 --> 00:29:11,000 did not let up until Stirred event was safely in handcuffs. 489 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:15,839 FBI special agents arrested him on December thirty first, as 490 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:19,000 he has being released from a local medical facility. On 491 00:29:19,079 --> 00:29:23,000 Monday night, as Rush just said, the FBI's Evidence Response 492 00:29:23,039 --> 00:29:28,720 Team conducted a search, an authorized search at his home 493 00:29:29,039 --> 00:29:33,759 and on his cellular phone. What we found was a manifesto, 494 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:38,480 which the federal complaint alleges contained detailed plans to execute 495 00:29:38,519 --> 00:29:40,160 a massacre on New. 496 00:29:40,079 --> 00:29:44,680 Speaker 6: Year's Eve as people's shop for the holidays. 497 00:29:45,359 --> 00:29:48,319 Speaker 5: Without the swift action of the FBI, joined Terris and 498 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:51,839 Task Force, New York City Police Department, the mint Hill 499 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:55,079 Police Department, and our partners at the United States Attorney's 500 00:29:55,079 --> 00:29:58,839 Office for the Western District of North Carolina, we could 501 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:00,079 be announcing a national train. 502 00:30:01,519 --> 00:30:02,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's exactly right. 503 00:30:03,799 --> 00:30:03,960 Speaker 4: Right. 504 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:08,279 Speaker 2: But for this intensive investigation, and but for the ability 505 00:30:08,319 --> 00:30:12,319 to collect the information necessary to bring this guy in 506 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:17,680 like this could be a completely different story today. All right, 507 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:19,519 If you're listening to this show, you know I try 508 00:30:19,559 --> 00:30:21,319 to keep up with all sorts of current events and 509 00:30:21,359 --> 00:30:23,440 I know you do too, and you've probably heard me 510 00:30:23,480 --> 00:30:26,039 say get your news from multiple sources. 511 00:30:26,519 --> 00:30:26,759 Speaker 1: Why. 512 00:30:27,119 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 2: Well, because it's how you detect media bias, which is 513 00:30:29,920 --> 00:30:33,039 why I've been so impressed with ground News. It's an 514 00:30:33,079 --> 00:30:36,480 app and it's a website and it combines news from 515 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:38,680 around the world in one place so you can compare 516 00:30:38,759 --> 00:30:41,799 coverage and verify information. You can check it out at 517 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:46,359 check dot ground, dot news slash pete. I put the 518 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:49,559 link in the podcast description too. I started using ground 519 00:30:49,559 --> 00:30:52,279 News a few months ago and more recently chose to 520 00:30:52,319 --> 00:30:54,240 work with them as an affiliate because it lets me 521 00:30:54,279 --> 00:30:58,160 see clearly how stories get covered and by whom. The 522 00:30:58,160 --> 00:31:01,279 blind spot feature shows you which get ignored by the 523 00:31:01,359 --> 00:31:05,079 left and the right. See for yourself check dot ground, 524 00:31:05,279 --> 00:31:08,920 dot news slash pete. Subscribe through that link and you'll 525 00:31:08,960 --> 00:31:12,119 get fifteen percent off any subscription. I use the Vantage 526 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:15,640 plan to get unlimited access to every feature. Your subscription 527 00:31:15,759 --> 00:31:18,440 then not only helps my podcast, but it also supports 528 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:21,720 ground News as they make the media landscape more transparent. 529 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:26,559 From the text line, David says, what is the name 530 00:31:26,559 --> 00:31:33,240 of the magistrate who refused the involuntary commitment request? The 531 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:37,000 magistrate was not named. It's a state level magistrate, so 532 00:31:37,039 --> 00:31:41,799 it's a Mecklenburg County magistrate. But the US attorney federal. 533 00:31:42,079 --> 00:31:48,160 The US Attorney did not name the individual magistrate. Russ 534 00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:51,480 on the text line says, just wondering what didn't ISIS 535 00:31:51,480 --> 00:31:53,960 have required him to have a name change before they 536 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:57,200 would let him in. Seems like they're letting everybody into 537 00:31:57,240 --> 00:32:06,000 ISIS now. He did actually have a name. He adopted 538 00:32:06,039 --> 00:32:14,680 some Arabic name, some like Abu Bakhar or something. They 539 00:32:14,799 --> 00:32:18,599 mentioned it in the news conference here, which I shall 540 00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:21,680 resume this is again James Barnacle, the Special Agent in 541 00:32:21,759 --> 00:32:24,319 charge of the FBI in the local Charlotte office. 542 00:32:24,359 --> 00:32:26,720 Speaker 6: Instead, a terrorist attack was thwarted. 543 00:32:28,200 --> 00:32:30,480 Speaker 5: Give it a little background on stead of vant, He's 544 00:32:30,519 --> 00:32:34,119 a US citizen. He turned eighteen in December of twenty 545 00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:38,960 twenty five. The JTTF collected evidence showing he turned his 546 00:32:39,039 --> 00:32:42,720 back on his country and his fellow citizens by pledging 547 00:32:42,759 --> 00:32:47,319 allegiance to ISIS with the intent of becoming a martyr. 548 00:32:47,960 --> 00:32:52,400 We allege Sturdivant was willing to sacrifice himself by committing 549 00:32:52,440 --> 00:32:55,720 a terrorist attack using knives and a hammer to support 550 00:32:55,720 --> 00:33:02,960 the murder, torture, and extreme violence that ISIS represents. We 551 00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:05,759 didn't just learn about him a few weeks ago. Stirred 552 00:33:05,759 --> 00:33:09,200 Devant first came to the FBI's radar in January of 553 00:33:09,240 --> 00:33:13,200 twenty twenty two, when he was still a juvenile. He 554 00:33:13,279 --> 00:33:17,000 was in contact via social media with an anoidentified ISIS 555 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:22,519 member overseas. Stirred Devant received direction from the tsnoidentified ISIS 556 00:33:22,519 --> 00:33:27,119 member to dress in all black, knock on people's doors, 557 00:33:27,359 --> 00:33:28,680 and attack them with a hammer. 558 00:33:30,119 --> 00:33:32,400 Speaker 6: In fact, Sturdivant did dress in all black. 559 00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:35,599 Speaker 5: He left his house with a hammer, and fortunately his 560 00:33:35,680 --> 00:33:40,720 family stepped in sturd Devant. No charges were filed at 561 00:33:40,720 --> 00:33:43,960 that time. He was referred for psychological care and he 562 00:33:44,039 --> 00:33:47,400 underwent psychological care of which I don't know the details. 563 00:33:47,839 --> 00:33:50,240 The FBI was told he no longer had access to 564 00:33:50,279 --> 00:33:55,519 social media. On December eighteenth, a week prior to Christmas, 565 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:58,880 the Charlotte Field Office learned it wasn't true. 566 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:01,279 Speaker 6: That he was now back on social media. 567 00:34:01,960 --> 00:34:06,200 Speaker 5: After several FBI offices around this country and the New 568 00:34:06,279 --> 00:34:11,039 York Police Department alerted the Charlotte jttf of as TikTok 569 00:34:11,360 --> 00:34:18,039 account username Abu Barker al Amerkis, who made multiple posts 570 00:34:18,079 --> 00:34:22,599 in support of ISIS. Stirred Evant was identified as the 571 00:34:22,599 --> 00:34:26,199 account holder, and with federal search warrants, the FBI obtained 572 00:34:26,199 --> 00:34:29,639 his previous posts to assess the extent of threats to 573 00:34:29,679 --> 00:34:33,719 the homeland. But according to the complaint, on or about 574 00:34:33,719 --> 00:34:38,039 December twelfth, Skirdivant began communicating with an individual on multiple 575 00:34:38,039 --> 00:34:41,880 social media platforms on b Knowast the stead event he 576 00:34:41,960 --> 00:34:46,679 was talking to a government online covert employee. Within just 577 00:34:46,719 --> 00:34:49,440 a few days, stirred Devant direct message the online covert 578 00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:51,559 employee with a picture of two hammers. 579 00:34:51,159 --> 00:34:52,639 Speaker 6: And a knife. 580 00:34:53,079 --> 00:34:56,880 Speaker 5: The message was significant since in recent years an ISIS 581 00:34:56,920 --> 00:35:01,719 propaganda magazine promoted the use of knives to conduct terrorist 582 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:06,880 attacks in Western countries. The same ISIS magazine which suggested 583 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:12,039 using vehicles to ram crowds like the terrorist attack last 584 00:35:12,119 --> 00:35:18,079 year on New Year's Day on Bourbon Street. The conversations 585 00:35:18,119 --> 00:35:23,719 between the undercover employee and Sturdivant escalated further. Stirred event 586 00:35:23,840 --> 00:35:26,440 allegedly sent a voice recording pledging by. 587 00:35:26,280 --> 00:35:29,519 Speaker 6: It a loyalty oath to ISIS, and. 588 00:35:29,440 --> 00:35:33,159 Speaker 5: On December twentieth, the direct messaging alleged at least showed 589 00:35:33,199 --> 00:35:39,239 stirad of Vant asking for help getting firearms, specifically weapons 590 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:42,880 guns to carry out the terrorist attack at a food 591 00:35:42,920 --> 00:35:44,480 market here in Charlotte area. 592 00:35:46,360 --> 00:35:47,639 Speaker 6: Thankfully that did not occur. 593 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:52,719 Speaker 5: This investigation was conducted by several FBI field offices, the 594 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:57,280 FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the following members, 595 00:35:57,559 --> 00:36:01,760 the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Matthew's Police Department, the Monroe 596 00:36:01,840 --> 00:36:06,760 Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 597 00:36:07,159 --> 00:36:10,599 the United States Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Air 598 00:36:10,639 --> 00:36:17,559 Marshal Service, Homeland Security Investigations Internal Revenue Service IRSCI, the 599 00:36:17,679 --> 00:36:22,800 United States Postal Inspection Service, US Citizenship and Immigration Services. 600 00:36:23,599 --> 00:36:28,920 Also the NYPD, the FBI New York JTTF, the FBI 601 00:36:29,039 --> 00:36:33,360 Columbia Division, and the min mint Hill Police Department were 602 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:37,360 instrumental in thwarting this attack, and, of course, alongside our 603 00:36:37,400 --> 00:36:40,880 partners at the US Attorney's Office in the Western District 604 00:36:40,920 --> 00:36:45,119 of New York, I'm sorry, North Carolina, and the Department 605 00:36:45,159 --> 00:36:52,159 of Justice. This investigation highlights the very real threat posed 606 00:36:52,159 --> 00:36:57,280 by people who self radicalize online and are inspired by 607 00:36:57,360 --> 00:37:03,400 jihadas ideologies espoused by far Prayers for organizations. They seek 608 00:37:03,440 --> 00:37:07,880 to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons and with 609 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:12,079 little to no warning. To further complicate this threat, we 610 00:37:12,159 --> 00:37:16,159 have seen that most successful attackers radicalize in a time 611 00:37:16,159 --> 00:37:19,760 span of between one and four years, and they typically 612 00:37:19,880 --> 00:37:23,800 mobilize to act in less than three months. The FBI 613 00:37:23,880 --> 00:37:27,480 continues to work tirelessly to combat the threats of terrorism 614 00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:32,320 for the American people every day that our partnerships. 615 00:37:31,599 --> 00:37:34,079 Speaker 6: Are not limited to just law enforcement agencies. 616 00:37:35,039 --> 00:37:38,280 Speaker 5: We rely on the communities we serve and encourage the 617 00:37:38,280 --> 00:37:42,679 public to contact law enforcement when they see or hear 618 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:44,719 something that doesn't seem right. 619 00:37:45,920 --> 00:37:48,159 Speaker 6: I also have this personal message. 620 00:37:48,280 --> 00:37:53,360 Speaker 5: If your child, relative, friend, or neighbor is sliding into 621 00:37:53,360 --> 00:37:57,000 a dangerous ideology, you'll be the first to see it, 622 00:37:58,199 --> 00:38:01,400 and together we can stop it. The threats we face 623 00:38:01,480 --> 00:38:06,400 are bigger than any one law enforcement or intelligence agency, 624 00:38:06,599 --> 00:38:09,880 requiring everyone who hears this message to work together to 625 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:13,639 keep people safe. I want to thank our members of 626 00:38:13,679 --> 00:38:16,239 the Joint Terrorism Task Force that sit over here today 627 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:18,039 for their diligent effort. 628 00:38:19,119 --> 00:38:19,760 Speaker 4: We spoke. 629 00:38:22,679 --> 00:38:25,000 Speaker 5: I can't tell you the number of hours, and this 630 00:38:25,079 --> 00:38:28,480 is not an adaboy to the FBI or our partners. 631 00:38:29,559 --> 00:38:33,840 They worked a NonStop for about fourteen days twenty four 632 00:38:33,840 --> 00:38:38,800 to seven, digging through everything we had and keeping surveillance 633 00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:40,880 on this subject so we could intervene if you were 634 00:38:41,239 --> 00:38:47,079 to potentially attack through Christmas, Christmas Eve, every single day 635 00:38:47,199 --> 00:38:50,800 all weekend. So thank you for your commitment to keep 636 00:38:50,840 --> 00:38:53,880 them America safe. Would that turn it over to mister 637 00:38:53,920 --> 00:38:55,360 Ferguson for any questions you may have. 638 00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:57,559 Speaker 3: Well, thank you and let me reiterate my thanks to 639 00:38:57,559 --> 00:38:59,920 the Joint Terrorism Task Force, to the Mental Police Department, 640 00:39:00,000 --> 00:39:02,199 and the course of the prosecutors in my office who 641 00:39:02,239 --> 00:39:08,079 worked on this. So Jennifer, Yeah, can you clarify where 642 00:39:08,079 --> 00:39:11,159 the plans that had submit Hill, like which worker store. 643 00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:14,599 Speaker 2: And want she's asking which grocery stores we're targeting. 644 00:39:14,639 --> 00:39:17,239 Speaker 3: I don't believe it's public yet, which grocery store and 645 00:39:17,280 --> 00:39:19,840 which fast food restaurant. I can tell you they were 646 00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:22,400 in mint Hill, And as the investigation moves forward, I'm 647 00:39:22,440 --> 00:39:24,239 sure that will come public, but it's not at this point. 648 00:39:24,239 --> 00:39:29,280 Speaker 4: It's it's still under investigation. Sure, of course, did you 649 00:39:29,320 --> 00:39:30,280 say that the arrest. 650 00:39:30,159 --> 00:39:34,599 Speaker 3: Took place after you received medical attention? The arrest took 651 00:39:34,599 --> 00:39:37,719 place after So the FBI went to a state magistrate 652 00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:40,679 judge to try to get him involuntarily committed for medical 653 00:39:40,679 --> 00:39:43,519 attention and it was denied by the state magistrate. 654 00:39:43,679 --> 00:39:46,199 Speaker 1: Thank you, all right, So there you go. 655 00:39:46,280 --> 00:39:49,000 Speaker 2: That's the again, the state magistrate's role in this or 656 00:39:49,159 --> 00:39:53,239 lack of a role in refusing to involuntarily commit this guy, 657 00:39:53,360 --> 00:39:57,039 even though he's got a detailed plan on how to 658 00:39:57,079 --> 00:39:59,559 commit a New Year's Eve massacre in mint Hill, which 659 00:39:59,639 --> 00:40:03,559 was thank fully avoid All right, that'll do it for 660 00:40:03,679 --> 00:40:06,360 this episode. Thank you so much for listening. I could 661 00:40:06,360 --> 00:40:08,599 not do the show without your support and the support 662 00:40:08,639 --> 00:40:11,519 of the businesses that advertise on the podcast, so if 663 00:40:11,519 --> 00:40:13,559 you'd like, please support them too and tell them you 664 00:40:13,599 --> 00:40:15,679 heard it here. You can also become a patron at 665 00:40:15,679 --> 00:40:19,760 my Patreon page or go to dpetecleanershow dot com. Again, 666 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:22,559 thank you so much for listening, and don't break anything 667 00:40:22,559 --> 00:40:24,280 while I'm gone.