A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Boston, Massachusetts on charges of plotting to damage or destroy the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol with large, remote-controlled aircraft filled with plastic explosives.

The Justice Department said Wednesday that Rezwan Ferdaus, a U.S. citizen, also was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically al-Qaida, in order to attack American soldiers overseas. Ferdaus was arrested following an undercover operation.

Officials say Ferdauz began planning a “jihad,” or holy war, against the United States in early 2010. They allege that he envisioned causing a large psychological impact by killing Americans, including women and children, whom he referred to as “enemies of Allah.” Investigators say the public was never in any danger from the explosive devices, which were controlled by undercover FBI employees.

If convicted, Ferdaus faces up to 15 years in prison on the charge of providing material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, and up to 20 years in prison on the charge of attempting to destroy national defense premises.