Overview
- Christian Sturdivant, 18, of Mint Hill, is in federal custody on a charge of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a count that carries up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
- Investigators say he pledged loyalty to ISIS and told an undercover government employee, "I will do jihad soon," while discussing attacks targeting a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant on New Year’s Eve.
- A Dec. 29 search recovered a handwritten plan titled "New Years Attack 2026," knives and hammers, and notes describing a goal of 20 to 21 victims and a "martyrdom" confrontation with police.
- Authorities arrested Sturdivant on Dec. 31; he appeared in federal court Friday and is set for a detention hearing on Jan. 7.
- FBI officials credited the Joint Terrorism Task Force and partners including NYPD and Mint Hill Police, noting Sturdivant first drew FBI attention in 2022 and that the investigation remains active.