Feds arrest man on terrorism-related charges
A Rockford man allegedly planned to set off hand grenades in garbage cans at a shopping mall near Rockford as part of his plot to let the world know “the time for jihad is now.”
Derrick Shareef, 22, targeted the Cherry Vale shopping mall, which has about 130 retail stores. But in recorded conversations he said the mall was “just one potential place,” and that he hoped to one day “smoke a judge,” according to the federal charges.
Should he die before the attack, Shareef made a videotape statement to explain his actions.
(AP)
Shareef was arrested Wednesday by the Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force after he met an undercover agent in the mall parking lot and traded a set of stereo speakers for four hand grenades and a hand gun, according to charges. He’s also known as Talib Abu Salam Ibn Shareef, court papers say.
Shareef allegedly discussed targeting other local government facilities. He was charged with one count of attempting to damage or destroy a building by fire or explosion and one count of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Shareef’s alleged plot was foiled after he shared his plans with a friend, who cooperated with the FBI. Shareef told the person he wanted to commit “acts of violent jihad” against people and other crimes to obtain funds to further his goals.
He at one point told the informant he wanted to target government facilities.
“I want some type of city hall-type stuff now, federal court houses,” Shareef was caught on tape saying, according to an FBI affidavit. “I just want to smoke a judge.”
“Once the threat Shareef posed was detected by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, his activities and movements were under constant surveillance and there was no imminent risk to the public,” Chicago FBI chief Robert Grant said in a prepared statement.
Shareef is expected to have his initial appearance later today in federal court.