Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A Boston police captain’s son accused of plotting an attack on a college campus in support of the Islamic State group pleaded not guilty Wednesday to weapons and assault charges.
Alexander Ciccolo, 23, plotted to detonate pressure-cooker bombs at an unidentified university and was arrested July 4 after he received four guns he ordered from a government witness, prosecutors said.
He also bought a pressure cooker the day before his arrest, apparently inspired by the Boston Marathon bombers who used two pressure-cooker devices to kill three people and injure more than 260 in 2013, authorities said.
Ciccolo, of Adams, also is accused of using a pen to stab a nurse during a medical examination while being booked into jail. That resulted in the assault charge.
He continues to be held without bail.
Ciccolo’s lawyer, David Hoose, said his client denies the allegations and still faces no terrorism charges. There have been no discussions on a plea deal, he said.
Authorities were tipped off by his father, Boston Police Capt. Robert Ciccolo, who alerted the FBI after his son said he wanted to join the Islamic State group. The younger Ciccolo expressed support for the groups during an interview with the FBI, authorities said.
Ciccolo’s mother and stepfather were in court Wednesday, and he thanked them for coming as he was escorted out of the courtroom.
Ciccolo is due back in court Sept. 29 for status conference.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press