A U.S. man from the Southern state of North Carolina was arrested Thursday on charges of conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State group, a U.S. Justice Department news release said.
Erick Hendricks, 36, was accused of trying to recruit people for training and for conducting terrorist attacks in the United States on behalf of the militant group.
According to a criminal complaint, Hendricks, in 2015, contacted a confidential informant through social media, saying that "he needed people" and "wanted to get brothers to train together."
He also allegedly told another person about his intention to create a sleeper cell that would conduct attacks in the United States.
The complaint said his potential targets included military members and the woman who organized a "Draw Prophet Muhammad contest."
The release said Hendricks was allegedly in contact with Elton Simpson who, in April 2015, launched a failed attack on the contest in Garland, Texas.
If convicted, Hendricks faces up to 15 years in prison.
