Ill. Terror Suspect Pleads Guilty

Ill. Terror Suspect Pleads Guilty

Wednesday November 28, 2007 7:46 PM

CHICAGO (AP) - A convert to Islam pleaded guilty
Wednesday to charges alleging he plotted to use
hand grenades to attack holiday shoppers at a mall
in Rockford.

Derrick Shareef was arrested in December 2006 on
charges of scheming to use weapons of mass
destruction against the Cherryvale Mall in the
northern Illinois city.

Prosecutors have said he plotted with an undercover
federal informant to commit acts of “violent jihad,”
or holy war, including setting off hand grenades
concealed in garbage cans at the mall. They have
said they were convinced Shareef operated alone
and that there was no imminent danger to the public.

Shareef, 23, was arrested after meeting an
undercover federal agent and agreeing to trade his
stereo speakers for four grenades and a gun.

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