NC Teen’s Parents ‘Shocked’ That Their Son Tried To Join ISIS


Nineteen year old Justin Sullivan of Morgantown, North Carolina is facing terror-related charges according to a criminal complaint filed in court in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to court documents, Sullivan was allegedly planning several domestic attacks to prove his dedication to ISIS leaders.

“Justin Sullivan intended to commit violent acts against innocent people in the U.S. to support the terrorist organization ISIL,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John A. Strong.

Parents Rich and Eleanor Sullivan appeared in court to support their son with tears in their eyes. It was Richard Sullivan who turned his son into authorities by calling 911.

It was the teen’s parents who tipped authorities that their son was up to something, calling 911 back in April. Rich Sullivan is quoted as saying in that emergency call: “I don’t know if it is ISIS or what but he is destroying Buddhas and figurines and stuff…. I mean, we are scared to leave the house.”

After the call to police, the FBI stepped in with an undercover operative who gained Sullivan’s trust. Much to the horror of his parents, Justin Sullivan, in addition to wanting to kill hundreds of people stateside, also wanted to find someone to kill his parents.

The FBI informant said Sullivan talked big, telling the undercover officer he wanted to kill as many as 1,000 people by setting off a vehicle bomb, or by using chemical weapons.

When arrested, Justin Sullivan had a gun silencer in his possession. The Sullivan parents had been suspicious of his behavior, but had no idea of the extent. The 12-page affidavit alleges that Sullivan told an undercover FBI agent he was thinking about using biological weapons, saying they could, “coat our bullets in cyanide … and then set off a gas bomb to finish off the rest.” He was also considering a car bomb and “a U-Haul packed with bombs.”

“We are going to send a video to IS,” Sullivan allegedly told the undercover agent at one point, using the short-handed term for “Islamic State,” which ISIL/ISIS renamed itself last year.

Sullivan is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, one count of transporting and receiving a silencer in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and one count of receipt and possession of an unregistered silencer, unidentified by a serial number. The charge of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign organization carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Do you believe Justin Sullivan really wanted to join ISIS?

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