A Northern California tow-truck driver is accused of planning an ISIS-inspired Christmas Day suicide attack on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Fox News informs.
Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26, was arrested and charged Friday with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
In a statement, Acting San Francisco Mayor London Breed credited the “diligent efforts of the FBI and local law enforcement agencies” for thwarting the planned attack and announced that the San Francisco Police Department would have an increased presence throughout the city.
“San Francisco is a city that proudly champions democracy, freedom and liberty,” Breed said. “Sadly, that makes our home a target. We will not allow the thwarted attempts of one dangerous individual to disrupt our way of life. We will remain vigilant and continue to protect our city from any threat.”
A spokeswoman for the FBI’s San Francisco field office said in a statement that there was “no specific and credible threat to the Bay Area at this time” and “the public was never in imminent danger.” Jameson denied the allegations during a hearing in federal court Friday. His father, Gordon Jameson, said he believes the FBI has the facts wrong.
“He wouldn’t do that to innocent people,” the elder Jameson told the Merced Sun-Star. “He’s a loving, kind person that would never hurt nobody.”
In an 11-page affidavit filed in federal court in Fresno Friday, FBI special agent Christopher McKinney alleged that Jameson espoused “radical jihadi beliefs” on social media. According to the agent, Jameson “liked” and “loved” ISIS-related social media posts, including one that threatened a Christmas attack in New York City.
Jameson also allegedly expressed support for Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek immigrant who drove a rented truck down a Lower Manhattan bike path on Halloween, killing eight people and injuring 11 others.
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