FBI accuses man of plotting Christmas Day terror attack in San Francisco

The FBI announced Friday it had arrested a man for allegedly planning a Christmas Day terror attack in San Francisco.

The suspect, Everitt Aaron Jameson, planned to target Pier 39, a popular tourist spot in the city, to inflict mass casualties, according to the criminal complaint. 

Jameson “espoused radical jihadi beliefs” and intended to carry out the attack in support of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), authorities allege.

{mosads}He communicated the details of the planned attack with an undercover agent posing as an ISIS operative.

He is accused of providing “material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.” 

Special Agent Christopher McKinney said in his affidavit that Jameson hoped to mimic previous terror attacks in San Bernardino, Calif., and New York City, which the agent took to mean using both firearms and a vehicle.

Jameson also said he would like to use explosives to “funnel” people on the crowded pier into a smaller area, according to the agent. McKinney also said Jameson claimed he did not need an escape plan because he was ready to die.

The agent told Jameson to hold off until he got approval from ISIS higher-ups.