Rochester, NY Terror Suspect

“He was a good kid, so I don’t know what happened between now and (his youth)”, said his former stepmother, Charma Lutchman.

Lutchman was scheduled to appear in state court on January 11 on the domestic violence charges. He is now detained. His father could not be reached Thursday. The threat was enough for authorities in the NY city to cancel its annual New Year’s Eve firework display.

Lutchman was raised a Christian, but he converted to Islam while serving five years in prison for robbery, she said, adding that she had never witnessed him convey any extremist beliefs or veneration for ISIS.

Informants worked with Lutchman as he plotted, and those interactions are now being used as evidence by police.

Court papers read the overseas “brother” told Lutchman he was “behind enemy lines”, that Lutchman was the closest person to Islamic State’s most hated enemy, the United States. The defendant made an initial appearance this morning before US Magistrate Judge Marian Payson of the US Western District of NY.

Additionally, Lutchman told the informant he had been in touch with an Islamic State member in Syria and had expressed his “hatred for everything in America”.

“The connection with Dawla (meaning ISIS) is already established”. The business owner expected to remain open Thursday night for New Year’s Eve. “Kuffar” is a Arabic word for infidel. Prosecutors say during overseas conversations, Lutchman discussed assassinations and using a pressure cooker bomb.

Court records said Lutchman armed himself with knives, a machete, duct tape, zip ties and ski masks.

He had no money so the informant loaned him $40.

“It’s going to get real after this”, Lutchman allegedly told the informant afterward. “It’s just you, me and the Lord”.

He said despite the crowds they are ready for anything. “They may idnetify the vehicle. they can’t live”. Lutchman was arrested on Wednesday.

Lutchman was allegedly in contact with someone overseas, who claimed to be part of terror organization.

Emanuel L. Lutchman, a 25-year-old USA citizen and self-professed Muslim convert who lives in Rochester, was charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS and faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, according to the complaint.

“Thankfully, law enforcement was able to intervene and thwart Lutchman’s deadly plans”.

This is the second ISIS-connected arrest in Rochester in the past 17 months.