New York Man Arrested, Accused of ISIS Plot

In New York, US federal authorities announced a man was arrested and charged with planning an attack on a bar to prove to ISIS that he was worthy of joining up with jihadists in Syria.

Lutchman was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State terrorist organization.

Page described the portrait that emerged Thursday of Lutchman as an image of a mentally unstable man with little foothold in the community or in reality, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

The FBI says Lutchman had an accomplice who was actually working for the agency.

Citing a lack of funds to obtain weapons, Lutchman finally settled on using knives or a machete for the attack, noting that his wife had a dagger, it is alleged.

Federal investigators have not said which bar Lutchman was planning on targeting with his attack.

Though Lutchman was in custody, the threat prompted authorities to cancel Rochester’s New Year’s Eve fireworks.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement, “The arrest of Emanuel Lutchman is an important reminder of the new normal of global terrorism”.

Lutchman is a self-professed Muslim convert with a criminal history dating back almost 10 years that includes a robbery conviction, according to court documents.

On Dec. 29 Lutchman and an informant allegedly went to a Walmart on Hudson Avenue and bought a machete, duct tape, knives, ammonia, latex gloves, and zip ties to use if they abducted a restaurant patron. The arrest and charges against Lutchman come amid growing concerns over residents in the U.S. pledging support for ISIS.

The FBI says he had pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, wanted to leave to U.S.to live in the caliphate, and was in contact with a reputed ISIS member in Syria – who urged him to kill non-Muslims on the holiday.

This person told Lutchman how fortunate he was to be living in the United States and how that permitted him to execute attacks his brothers overseas could only dream of, according to the criminal grievance.

FBI Special Agent Timothy J. Klapec said in a 10-page affidavit that Lutchman began telling a paid undercover informant in November that he hoped to join Islamic State overseas, but had been advised by a Syrian operative there that the borders were closed.

The charge Lutchman faces carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a US$250,000 (S$350,000) fine.
- Reuters.

Later, in a discussion, Lutchman allegedly told the informant, “It’s going to get real after this. We gotta do this“. “They may identify the vehicle”.

Later that day, while driving around Rochester with the informant, Lutchman was arrested.