Federal officials say a 20-year-old Topeka man, who grew up in Tennessee and Kansas before moving to Missouri, is facing federal charges for allegedly plotting to detonate a bomb at Fort Riley, Kansas.  U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom told reporters John Thomas Booker Jr. was arrested Friday morning in Manhattan.

Grissom said that Booker faces three charges: attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempting to damage property by means of an explosion and attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

Authorities alleged that Booker had even completed a “martyr video” to explain his actions.

Booker allegedly said he selected Fort Riley as a target because it was well known and because “there are a lot of soldiers there.”

Grissom said the explosive device, unbeknownst to the suspect, was inert and that he never penetrated the Army base.

The charges were announced by Grissom and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin. They released a copy of the formal complaint as well (click here).

“As alleged in the complaint, John Booker attempted to attack U.S. military personnel on U.S. soil purportedly in the name of ISIL,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “Thanks to the efforts of the law enforcement community, we were able to safely disrupt this threat to the brave men and women who serve our country. Protecting American lives by identifying and bringing to justice those who wish to harm U.S. citizens remains the National Security Division’s number one priority.”

Booker is alleged to have spent months discussing multiple plans before deciding on a plan that involved the execution of a suicide bombing mission.

The complaint alleges Booker told another person “that detonating a suicide bomb is his number one aspiration because he couldn’t be captured, all evidence would be destroyed, and he would be guaranteed to hit his target.” Booker identified Fort Riley as a good target, “because the post is famous and there are a lot of soldiers stationed there,” the complaint alleges.

“I want to assure the public there was never any breach of Fort Riley Military Base. Recently the Command Staff at Fort Riley has been working hand-in-hand with law enforcement to ensure the utmost security and protection for the men and women who serve our country, and the surrounding community that supports the base,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Jackson.

Officials say FBI Evidence Response Teams are executing search warrants related to the case.

If convicted, Booker would face a maximum penalty of life in prison.