According to court documents and federal officials, Mr. Mehanna was allegedly part of a conspiracy between 2001 and 2008 that intended to kill, kidnap, maim, or injure soldiers and two unidentified politicians who were members of the executive branch but are no longer in office.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston said the men also planned attacks at malls because U.S. civilians pay taxes to support the government and are “nonbelievers.”