Marine Corps Reject Plotted ISIS-Inspired Christmas Suicide Attack On San Francisco, FBI Says

The FBI said a Modesto man who espoused support for ISIS planned a Christmas suicide attack on San Francisco’s Pier 39, a popular tourist destination.

Authorities alleged in court documents filed on Dec. 22 that a man named Everitt Aaron Jameson, a tow truck driver, told an undercover FBI employee he believed to be a senior ISIS leader that Pier 39 would be an ideal location for a terrorist attack.

Jameson allegedly sought from the FBI employee an assault rifle, ammunition, powder, tubing, and nails — materials that can be made into a pipe bomb.

The suspect allegedly told the FBI that “we need something along the lines of New York or San Bernardino,” apparently referring to the Oct. 31 terrorist attack in New York City and the shooting-related terrorist attack in Southern California in 2015.

FBI Terrorism Arrest Complaint For Everitt Aaron Jameson

Jameson described a plan to the FBI “in which explosives could ‘tunnel’ or ‘funnel’ people into a location where Jameson could inflict casualties,” the court document said.

FBI agents conducted a search warrant on Dec. 20 at a residence in Modesto and found a note signed by Abdallah abu Everitt ibn Gordon al-Amriki, dated Dec. 16, which in part said, “I Abdallah Everett ibn Gordon have committed these acts upon Kuffar, in the name of Dar al Islam, Allahu Akbar!” Kuffar, or kafir, is an Arabic term used to describe non-Muslims.

The FBI also seized firearms from the home. ISIS recently called for attacks on Western cities around the Christmas holidays.

Jameson is a former U.S. Marine who graduated basic recruit training and earned a sharpshooter rifle qualification, according to the affidavit. He was discharged from the Marine Corps later for failing to disclose a history of asthma.

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Jameson was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and was scheduled to appear in federal court in Fresno at 2 p.m. Friday. “We are grateful that our hardworking law enforcement partners remain vigilant in protecting our communities, especially during this holiday season,” U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert said in a statement.

If convicted, Jameson could face up to 20 years in prison.

San Francisco acting Mayor London Breed praised the FBI and local law enforcement agencies for preventing an attack.

“At this time, there are no known additional threats to San Francisco related to this investigation. While the FBI investigation into this case continues, the San Francisco Police Department will be increasing its presence throughout the City,” Breed said in a statement.

“San Francisco is a city that proudly champions democracy, freedom and liberty. Sadly, that makes our home a target. We will not allow the thwarted attempts of one dangerous individual to disrupt our way of life,” Breed said.

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