CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — A teenager from Conway has been charged with terrorism-related offenses after officials reported that he spent several months trying to join ISIS and got hold of instructions to create a weapon of mass destruction, authorities revealed on Wednesday.
Seventeen-year-old Daniel Fox Fischer was taken into custody on June 9 by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. He faces charges for planning or threatening to harm real or personal property with a destructive device and for possessing or using a weapon of mass destruction intending to commit terrorism.
Fischer was placed in the juvenile section of the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, and the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office will handle his prosecution.
According to a SLED warrant, Fischer “communicated his intent to join a foreign terrorist organization” later identified as ISIS between April and August of last year.
“Defendant took proactive steps with others to obtain the technical expertise to carry out an attack,” warrants say.
An investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force found that Fischer obtained instructional videos and instructions for “making an explosive device, information about (improvised explosive devices) and recipes for making explosive material C4.”
Authorities also recovered training manuals and electronic communications “supporting terrorism activities,” including Fischer showing support for ISIS while wearing an explosive vest.
A confidential source and other records “indicated intent to use a destructive device against targets within the state,” warrants say.
