Vicente Adolfo Solano, 53, a citizen of Honduras residing in Miami, pleaded guilty Wednesday to planning to place and detonate an explosive device in a crowded area of a popular Miami mall.
Solano pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Sentencing is set for May 30. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine.
In early 2017, Solano told an individual who later became a government source that he was upset with the United States and wanted to conduct an attack in Miami. Later, Solano told this source that he wanted to join ISIS.
Solano discussed his plot with the source and two undercover FBI employees. According to the criminal complaint, Solano provided three videos to the source in which he made pro-ISIS statements and expressed anti-U.S. sentiments. Just prior to his arrest, Solano took possession of what he believed was an explosive device, took steps to arm it, and walked toward a mall entrance in order to carry out his attack. Unbeknownst to Solano, the device was inert and did not pose a risk to the public. Solano was taken into custody prior to entering the mall.
Read more at the Justice Department
