North Carolina Man Tried to Organize ISIS Attacks on US: Feds

Erick Jamal Hendricks, 35, of Charlotte, is charged with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists

A North Carolina man was arrested Thursday after trying to recruit people to join ISIS and attack the U.S., NBC News reported.

Federal authorities said Erick Jamal Hendricks, 35, of Charlotte, was in contact with two men who opened fire at a Texas art exhibit depicting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The gunmen were killed by an off-duty officer during the May 2015 attack.

Prosecutors said Hendricks used social media to contact potential recruits, including a man from Ohio and and undercover FBI agent. Hendricks' alleged goal was to create a sleeper cell that would live and train in a secure compound in the U.S.

One of Hendricks' intended targets was the organizer of the Garland, Texas, cartoon contest, according to NBC News. Hendricks also allegedly sought to attack military members.

Hendricks is charged with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. He was arrested Thursday morning and was assigned a federal public defender who could not immediately be reached for comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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