The FBI has arrested a Modesto, CA convert to Islam for what they say was a plot to attack San Francisco's Pier 39 on Christmas using a combination "of a vehicle and firearms." The suspect cheered the October 31, 2017 truck attack in New York City in which 8 people were killed, referenced President Trump's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem ("Al Quds") as the capital of Israel, and said he was "ready to die" according to the FBI.
Everitt Aaron Jameson, AKA Abdallah abu Everitt ibn Gordon al-Amriki
Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26 - who went by "Abdallah abu Everitt ibn Gordon al-Amriki," was arrested following an undercover FBI sting operation in which he was "planning and undertaking a violent attack in San Francisco in support of ISIS" with an undercover agent he thought was a senior ISIS leader. On October 27, 2017 Jameson messaged the undercover agent "Salaam Alaykium warmatual Allah wabarakatu, I'm here to beg to join the cause against darul kuffar. I'm ready," according to FBI documents.
"Jameson identified a possible target location, noting that the best place would be a large area such as San Francisco... Jameson specifically mentioned Pier 39 in San Francisco as a target location because he had been there before and knew that it was a heavily crowded area."
"Jameson commonly refers to people he perceives to be enemies of radical Islam as "kufr,' a derogatory Islamic term for unbelievers, and specifically told an FBI Confidential Human Source (cHS) that he "beg[ged] to join the cause against darul kuffar."
When the undercover FBI agent asked Jameson if he was a "revert" (a convert to Islam), Jameson replied "Yes. I am. That is what will make me more useful. I can blend in. Or shock and awe," adding in another exchange "I can suit up and take myself to our brothers. Or whatever they need done here. Give the word and it shall be done."
Jameson mentioned a desire to use explosives, and described a plan in which explosives could "tunnel" or "funnel" people into a location where he could inflict casualties. He discussed acquiring "PVC pipe, nails, and powder (presumably, black powder used for commercial explosives and ammunition.), which he planned to assemble into explosive devices at a remote campground in the mountains.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of ISIL
After a December 20 raid on Jameson's home, a white envelope was found containing a signed letter, which calls America a "Nationalistic, Godless society," criticizes President Trump for recognizing Jersalem as the capital of Israel, and voices support for ISIL and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
I Abdallah adu Everitt ibn Gordon have committed these acts upon the Kuffar, in the name of Dar al Islam, Allahu AKbar! You all have brought this upon yourselves. There is no innocent Kuffar! Each and every Kuffar in this Nationalistic, Godless society has a hand in this. You've allowed Donald J Trump to give away Al Quds to the Jews. Both You and he are wrong, it belongs to the Muslemeen. We have penetrated and infiltrated your disgusting country. These acts will continue until the Lions of Islam overtake you. Turn to Allah, make tawbah and fight with us, the soldiers who fight in the day and the night. Allah SWT is most forgiving, I am not. Long live Isil, Long Live Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Allahu Akbar!
Abdallah abu Everitt ibn Gordon al-Amriki
Jameson told the undercover agent that he has been "trained in combat and things of war," adding "I was a soldier in the Kuffar army before I reverted," referring to his service in the U.S. Marine Corps - which consisted of basic training and a "sharpshooter" rifle qualification, before he was discharged for failing to disclose a history of asthma.
The FBI also noted that Jameson "liked" and "loved" pro-ISIS and pro-terrorism posts with a "suspicious Facebook account" he created - including a "like" and "loved" on a November 29, 2017 post that is an image of Santa Claus standing in New York with a box of dynamite looking out over a crowd of shoppers. The caption reads "We meet at Christmas in New York...soon"
Several posts were also discovered on social media which were "supportive of terrorism, communicating with people he believes share his jihadi views and offering to provide services to such people, including in the form of his presumably employer-provided tow truck."
Several firearms were found at Jameson's Modesto home, including a gun purchased in January of 2017, two .45 caliber magazines, one of which was loaded, three cylinder fireworks, a Winchester .22 caliber rifle, a Ruger model M77, a Ruger 9mm handgun, and an empty handgun magazine.