An Army veteran has been charged with plotting what he believed would be a terrorist attack in Kansas City, federal authorities said Tuesday.
(FOX)- Robert Lorenzo Hester Jr., 25, was arrested Friday and is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The criminal complaint was released after Hester made his initial court appearance.
Prosecutors said Hester, of Columbia, Mo., reached out to undercover FBI agents posing as Islamic State (ISIS) operatives and said he was willing to assist in a jihadist attack. According to the affadavit, Hester was told the attack would target “buses, trains and a train station in Kansas City” on Monday, coinciding with the Presidents Day holiday.
According to the affidavit, Hester “expressed approval” of the attack plan and told the undercover agent that it would be “good to strike back a the true terrorist.”
Hester is the first person this year to be charged by the Justice Department with attempting to provide material support to ISIS. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.