The Case Of Alex Ciccolo: How The FBI Uses Sting Operations

Alex Ciccolo, of Adams, Massachusetts, is charged with attempting to commit domestic terrorism.

Ciccolo's father, a Boston police captain, tipped off federal officials his son was becoming "obsessed" with ISIS. That led to an FBI sting, where Ciccolo described to a government informant his plans to set off explosives at an unnamed university.

Ciccolo was provided with encouragement and weapons by the FBI. The Intercept keeps a database of people arrested as a result of FBI stings, like Ciccolo. We talk about what those other cases are and what it means.

Trevor Aaronson, contributing writer for The Intercept and the executive director of Florida Center for Investigative Reporting. He tweets @trevoraaronson.