FBI arrests man planning Daesh attack in New York

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a man planning an attack on behalf of the Daesh (ISIL) Takfiri group in New York.

Emanuel Lutchman, 25, was charged with attempting to provide material support to the terror group, and now faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the CNN reported Thursday.

Lutchman, who was allegedly seeking to join Daesh, was directed by one of the group’s members overseas to attack a restaurant in Rochester, in New York State.

“The FBI thwarted Emanuel Lutchman’s intent to kill civilians on New Year’s Eve,” FBI Special Agent Adam Cohen said in a statement.

“The FBI remains concerned about people overseas who use the Internet to inspire people in the United States to commit acts of violence where they live,” he added.

Lutchman appeared before US Magistrate Judge Marian Payson of the Western District of New York on Thursday morning, the FBI said.

According to the lawsuit filed against Lutchman, he had allegedly discussed with informants using pressure cooker bombs or knives in an attack meant to impress his Daesh handlers.

“This New Year’s Eve prosecution underscores the threat of ISIL even in upstate New York but demonstrates our determination to immediately stop any who would cause harm in its name,” said William Hochul Jr., the US attorney for the Western District of New York.

The news comes as 6,000 police officers in New York City are gearing up to secure one million revelers who are expected to pack the city’s streets in celebration of the new year.