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Recast: Man plotting attack on U.S. Capitol arrested: FBI

Xinhua, January 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a man who was allegedly plotting attack on the U.S. Capitol, court documents disclosed Wednesday.

The 20-years-old Ohio man, Christopher Cornell, claimed to sympathize with Islamic State militants. He was plotting to set off pipe bombs in the U.S. Capitol and purchased a semi-automatic rifle and 600 rounds of ammunition. He also made plans to travel to Washington to carry out the attack, according to an FBI informant's legal testimony.

Cornell came to the FBI's attention several months ago, when he talked in social media posts about violent jihad and indicated his support for the IS group.

In a meeting with the informant, Cornell also said he considered Congress members to be his enemies, according to the documents.

The plan was only in the early stage and posed no threat to lawmakers, said a law enforcement official.

Cornell has been charged in an Ohio federal court with attempting to kill a U.S. government officer and possession of a firearm in furtherance of an attempted crime of violence. Endite