American Teen Arrested on IS-linked Terrorism Charges

A 19-year-old American was charged Monday with conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State group, after allegedly planning to carry out assassinations and attacks in its name.

Justin Nolan Sullivan, a self-described Muslim convert, was arrested without incident Friday at his home in Morganton, North Carolina in possession of an unlicensed silencer, the Justice Department said.

It alleged Sullivan planned to buy a semi-automatic AR-15 assault rifle at a gun show on Saturday "to kill a large number of U.S. citizens on behalf of ISIL."

ISIL is the acronym the U.S. government uses for Islamic State, a militant group that now controls parts of Syria and Iraq.

Sullivan received the silencer in the mail from an undercover agent after discussing with him plans to carry out "minor assassinations before the big attack," according to the complaint.

It quoted Sullivan as telling the undercover agent "the war is here," and urging him to join the Islamic State of North America, whose doctrine was "guerrilla warfare in and out." 

Assistant Attorney General John Carlin said Sullivan "was planning assassinations and violent attacks in the United States and is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIL and federal firearms violations."

The terrorism charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the two weapons charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years.