Ohio Woman Pleads Guilty To Plotting Terrorist Attack

TOLEDO, OH — An Ohio woman has pleaded guilty to planning an attack at a bar in Toledo, the Department of Justice announced. The woman's partner has also pleaded guilty to his role in the planned attack.

Elizabeth Lecron, 24, pleaded guilty this week to one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to terrorists. She also pleaded guilty to one count of transporting explosives in interstate commerce. Her co-conspirator, Vincent Armstrong, pleaded guilty to similar charges earlier this month.

“This defendant has admitted to plotting a terrorist attack in downtown Toledo,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “She purchased a shotgun, black powder, screws and other items for the purpose of launching mass-casualty attacks. For years we have used this statute to prosecute those who supported our enemies abroad, and are gratified we are able to use it to hold accountable people who planned to attack our neighbors, regardless of ideology.”

The Plan

Lecron and Armstrong began dating in February 2018 and then moved into a home together in the Toledo area. Shortly after they met, Lecron spoke about her interest in mass murderers and introduced Armstrong to the "True Crime Community," the plea agreement said. Lecron primarily engaged with the True Crime Community's mass shooting subculture via Tumblr, where she had two usernames "charlestonchurchmiracle" and "ligaturemarkings."

Lecron would regularly post items about the Columbine High School shooters and the Charleston church shooter, Dylann Roof. The affidavit against Lecron said she tried to send Nazi literature to Roof.

The infatuation with mass killings quickly turned to a plot. The couple began planning their own terrorist attack in April 2018, according to their plea agreement. They referred to their plan as "D-Day" and discussed using guns and explosives at a Toledo bar, the plea agreement said.

Armstrong owned an AK-47 and Lecron purchased a shotgun. They practiced using their weapons at a shooting range, the plea agreement said.

Lecron then showed Armstrong a website detailing how to make improvised bombs and the couple decided to build a pipe bomb, the plea agreement and court documents said. The couple also discussed what to wear during the attack, settling on emulating the Columbine shooters.

According to court documents, Lecron bought combat boots that she felt would not slip on blood during the attack, and a T-shirt that said "False Prophet." In a journal entry, Lecron wrote that she was exhausted by visiting friends but that "D-Day will be my salvation," the Department of Justice noted.

Lecron also began talking with another user on Tumblr and gave them muzzle loading propellant and 665 screws to hold for her, the Department of Justice said. On September 11, 2018, that user and two undercover law enforcement agents began talking about carrying out a bomb attack. According to court documents, Lecron said: “I want to get out there. I want to like, you know, be part of it, you know. I want to help any way I can. I’ve never had an in to this sort of thing so now that I do I just want to do anything I can.”

According to court documents, when asked if she was worried about killing people, Lecron said: “Take them out. I don’t really feel any type of way for that…I’m here to send a message and get the job done…if they are in the way of the explosion, they’re probably part of the problem so maybe it’s for the best.”

On December 10, 2018, law enforcement searched Armstrong and Lecron's house and cars. In the cars, they found a duffel bag with a tactical vest and two loaded magazines for an AK-47, two loaded magazines for a pistol, a gas mask, and printed instructions on how to make various bombs, the Department of Justice said. Inside the house, law enforcement found an AK-47, two shotguns, two handguns and ammunition.

The FBI and Department of Justice announced Lecron and Armstrong's arrest on December 10, 2018. More than eight months later, both Lecron and Armstrong have pleaded guilty to charges of planning a terrorist attack.

"Elizabeth Lecron has accepted responsibility for planning and obtaining weapons and explosive components as preparation to conduct a mass shooting,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith said. “The two recent mass shootings that took 29 lives remind us that without the vigilance of the citizen that alerted law enforcement of Lecron and Armstrong's desire to kill, Toledo could have been the site of a massacre. Law enforcement urges the public to report suspicious, concerning behavior — see something, say something. "