The Toledo, Ohio, couple immersed themselves in online subculture dedicated to the topic. In 2018, they traveled to Columbine High School to visit the site of the 1999 school shooting, where they took pictures of themselves dressed like the shooters and posing with weapons. Lecron also wrote to one notorious mass shooter in prison to express her admiration for him.

But investigators say it wasn’t just a morbid fascination.

The couple, led by Lecron, wrote detailed plans making it clear they intended to become mass shooters themselves. They expressed violent, anti-government beliefs and their plans to act on them.

“Unfortunately, we address these types of threats frequently,” said Special Agent Ryan Presley, who oversaw this investigation out of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office. “The challenge is figuring out who is just talking and who is making serious plans.”

In this case, the would-be shooters documented their violent plans.

Thankfully, a concerned citizen who became aware of their activity called the Toledo Police Department, which shared the tip with Detective Louie Espinosa and FBI Special Agent Sara Pedersen of the Bureau’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

The JTTF learned that the couple’s plans were serious and that they had stockpiled weapons and bomb-making materials.

“This is an example of why the JTTF model works—everyone worked together to keep our community safe from a potentially dangerous threat.”

Ryan Presley, special agent, FBI Cleveland

Lecron and Armstrong had scouted out venues for their attacks. One was a Toledo business the couple frequented. They knew the business had few entrances and exits, which they thought would make it difficult for potential victims to escape. They discussed details down to the type of shoes they would wear and how to create a diversion at the scene.

With the overwhelming evidence against them, Lecron and Armstrong both pleaded guilty. Lecron admitted to providing material support to terrorism and was sentenced in November 2019 to 15 years in prison. Armstrong pleaded guilty to a lesser conspiracy charge and was sentenced in December 2019 to six years.

Lecron’s prosecution is believed to be the first time a material support charge—a very serious charge usually brought against international terrorism suspects—has been used in a domestic terrorism case. Presley attributed this to the work of the investigative team and partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Ohio.

And without the tip from the concerned citizen, this story could have ended in a mass shooting—instead, the two would-be shooters are behind bars.

“I can’t say enough good things about the Toledo Police Department,” Presley said. “They have created an environment in which citizens feel comfortable bringing these types of things forward. This is an example of why the JTTF model works—everyone worked together to keep our community safe from a potentially dangerous threat.”

DOJ Release:

Toledo woman sentenced for planning two terrorist attacks

Elizabeth Lecron, 24, was sentenced today to 180 months of incarceration and lifetime supervision for her involvement in planning two terrorist attacks, including an attack at a local Toledo bar.  During the sentencing hearing, Judge James G. Carr called Lecron’s actions “monstrous.”  Her co-defendant and live-in boyfriend, Vincent Armstrong, has pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme and will be sentenced on December 10, 2019.

“This defendant was deadly serious about plotting for an attack on Toledo and an interstate pipeline,” said United States Attorney Justin Herdman.  “She stands convicted of a terrorism offense and will spend the next fifteen years in a federal prison. When she is released, she will spend the rest of her life under intense supervision by a federal court. Today’s sentence reflects the severity of her conduct and is a recognition of the continued efforts by law enforcement to protect the public from all violent threats.”

“Elizabeth Lecron’s lengthy incarceration followed by a lifetime of supervised release is more than justified for her despicable plan to commit mass murder in our city,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith.  “The investigation, prosecution, and her sentence demonstrates the importance of the continued partnership between the public and law enforcement, as well as a strong US Attorney’s Office willing to pursue warranted charges that will keep dangerous people like Elizabeth Lecron under law enforcement’s watchful eye.  It should also serve as a reminder to others that law enforcement will pursue criminals bent on attacking fellow citizens with every tool at our disposal.”

As set out in court filings and during court hearings, Lecron and Armstrong met and started dating in early 2018.  Shortly after meeting, Lecron expressed her interest in mass murderers and introduced Armstrong to an online group called the “True Crime Community.”  This group fixated and lionized mass murderers and posted extremely graphic images, videos, and sayings. They two became immersed in this subculture, including take a trip in August 2018 to visit the sights related to the Columbine High School shooting to pay tribute to the shooters and Lecron writing numerous letters to Dylann Roof. 

Lecron and Armstrong privately discussed committing their own mass murder in the Toledo area and referred to this attack as “D-day.”  They discussed using bombs and guns to kill, maim, and injure innocent people.  They took several steps in preparation for “D-day.” They purchased guns and went to the shooting range to practice their firearm skills.  They also printed instructions to make pipe bombs and bought some the necessary components.  They detailed their plan and feelings in personal journals.  For instance, Armstrong wrote that he had “a vision to kill” and Lecron wrote, “D-day will be my salvation.” 

Separately, on December 8, 2018, Lecron purchased two pounds of black powder and hundreds of screws intending that they be used in a bombing of a pipeline in Georgia. 

This conduct took place between April 2018 and December 10, 2018.

This case was investigated by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Freeman and Tracey Tangeman.

Toledo man sentenced for planning terrorist attack in Toledo’s entertainment district

     Vincent Armstrong, 24, was sentenced to 72 months of incarceration for his involvement in planning a terrorist attack at a local Toledo bar.  His co-defendant and live-in girlfriend, Elizabeth Lecron, was previously sentenced to 180 months of incarceration and lifetime supervised release.

     “This defendant admitted to helping plot and plan a mass-casualty attack in Toledo,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman.  “His sentence reflects the seriousness of the charges against him and should serve as a reminder to all who live in our District and beyond – we will never stop working to protect our families, friends and neighbors.” 

     “Vincent Armstrong’s sentence will ensure he remains safely away from the public for some time,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith.  “He and his fellow conspirator, Elizabeth LeCron, planned to attack and murder their fellow citizens for no other reason than their infatuation with violence.  The FBI once again applauds the public for bringing LeCron and Armstrong’s plans to the attention of law enforcement. Without the reporting of their dangerous plans one of our communities could have suffered a horrendous mass shooting.  Law enforcement depends on the public’s vigilance to counter insidious plots like these.”

     Toledo Police Chief George Kral said: “With the sentencing of this potential mass murderer, as was the case in his co-conspirators, residents of Toledo and NW Ohio are safer.  Sadly, these individuals reside not only in our major cities, but also much closer to home.  I commend the relationships and collaborations we have with of local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Toledoans can sleep soundly knowing that law enforcement will never cease in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of those who want to hurt innocent people.”

     As set out in court filings and during court hearings, Lecron and Armstrong met and started dating in early 2018.  The two became immersed in a subculture that fixated and lionized mass murderers known as the “True Crime Community.”   Their obsession included a trip in August 2018 to visit the sights related to the Columbine High School shooting to pay tribute to the shooters.

     Lecron and Armstrong privately discussed committing their own mass murder in the Toledo area and referred to this attack as “D-day.”  They discussed using bombs and guns to kill, maim, and injure innocent people.  They took several steps in preparation for “D-day.” They purchased guns and went to the shooting range to practice their firearm skills.  They also printed instructions to make pipe bombs and bought some the necessary components.  They detailed their plan and feelings in personal journals.  For instance, Armstrong wrote that he had “a vision to kill” and Lecron wrote, “D-day will be my salvation.”