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An Ohio man was arrested by federal authorities on Thursday and charged with soliciting the murder of U.S. military members, the Justice Department said.
Terrence McNeil, 25, appeared in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio after being charged with one count of solicitation of a crime of violence.
McNeil reportedly solicited the murders by disseminating violent rhetoric from the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), circulating detailed U.S. military personnel information and calling for the killing of American service members in their homes and communities, Assistant Attorney General Carlin said.
McNeil is alleged to have professed his support for ISIS on social media on several occasions, according to an affidavit filed in the case. Most recently, in September using a Tumblr account, he reportedly reblogged a file with the banner "Islamic State Hacking Division," followed by "Target: United States Military" and "Leak: Addresses of 100 U.S. Military Personnel."
Federal prosecutors said McNeil reposted names and addresses of dozens of service members, calling for online followers to take the "final step" and kill them.
"While we aggressively defend First Amendment rights, the individual arrested went far beyond free speech by reposting names and addresses of 100 U.S. service members, all with the intent to have them killed," said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Anthony. "We will remain vigilant in our efforts to stop those who wish to support these despicable acts."
The case is being investigated by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes local, state and federal agencies from northeast Ohio.
In recent months, authorities have arrested multiple people who allegedly were inspired by ISIS and planned to carry out terrorist attacks against the country.