An ISIS sympathiser living in Miami has appeared in court on a charge of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in a planned attack on a crowded Florida shopping mall.

Vicente Solano, 53, is alleged to have planned to detonate an explosive in a crowded area of the Dolphin Mall and if convicted he could face up to life in prison.

The 53-year-old was planning to strike at the mall near Miami on 'Black Friday' on November 24. The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year in America.

Solano, from Hondurus, is said to have discussed his plot with a confidential source and two FBI undercover employees.

He provided three videos to the source, in which he makes pro-ISIS statements and expresses anti-US sentiments, the justice department claimed.

In the videos Solano spoke in Spanish and wore a black mask while standing in front of an ISIS flag.

He said: "I love that there is going to be a holy war. The United States is the most terrorist country of them all.

"I am going to plant a bomb like in-like in Boston , in the name of Allah,"

As a part of a federal sting operation, Solano took possession of what he thought was an explosive device, tried to arm it and walked toward a mall entrance to launch his attack.

He was then arrested, the justice department said.

Solano is scheduled to have a pre-trial detention hearing in Florida on Thursday.