Suspect Arrested In Alleged Illinois Terror Plot
(CBS) CHICAGO A 22-year-old Rockford man with an ambition to become a terrorist has been arrested by federal authorities on allegations that he planned to set off grenades in garbage cans in a mall in Rockford.
Derrick Shareef, of Rockford, was arrested on Wednesday by FBI agents from the Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
He was arraigned on the charges early Friday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez.
Shareeef was apprehended after meeting with an undercover agent in a Rockford store parking lot to trade a set of stereo speaksers for four hand grenades and a handgun, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
He was charged with one count of 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, authorities said. If convicted, the first charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, while the second carries a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40.
Shareef allegedly planned to set off the grenades at the CherryVale Shopping Mall, near Interstate 90 and Interstate 39 on Rockford's east side. The mall has about 130 retail stores and is owned byy a Tennessee-based company, authorities said.
Authorities reported that the mall was one of several potential targets Shareef allegedly discussed with undercover agents, and the others were primarily local government facilities.
Shareef came to the attention of federal authorities several months ago, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force – which is composed of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies – began surveillance on him, FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Robert Grant said.
Initially, the threat was not focused, but during surveillance, the task force found that Shareef had focused his attention on the mall, Grant said.
The task force's interest peaked at that point, and they began around-the-clock surveillance, Grant added.
Shareef went to the mall on two different occasions, both times under surveillance from the task force, Grant said.
The first time, Shareef went to find out if it would be the right place to conduct his attack, and given the volume of people in the mall during the holiday season, he decided it was, Grant said. The second time, he went to determine the best escape route, Grant added.
Shareef had no weapons, but he later began focusing on obtaining them, and also began "purifying" himself for the attack and videotaping himself in case he did not survive, Grant said.
The attack was planned for Dec. 22, because of the volume of people likely to be in the mall the Friday before Christmas, Grant said.
Earlier information said the case was connected to a terrorist plot against a Chicago mall, but that turned out not to be correct.
Federal authorities said the public was not in danger.
"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," Grant said.
"While these are very serious charges, at no time was the public in any imminent peril as a result of the defendant’s activities," said U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
"He didn't come with a prearranged plan to attack the mall. He didn't come with prearranged financing," Fitzgerald added.
An individual close to the investigation, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because charges have not been filed thus far, said there was no specific threat.
The man arrestred Friday is considered a lone operator without ties to any known terrorist organization, law enforcement sources said.
