Nov 28, 2007 12:49 pm US/Central
Terror Suspect Pleads Guilty To Mall Attack Plot
CHICAGO (AP) ―
A 23-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to plotting to use hand grenades to attack holiday shoppers at a Rockford mall.
Derrick Shareef drew national attention when he was arrested in December 2006 on charges of scheming to use weapons of mass destruction against the Cherryvale Mall in the northern Illinois community.
He was arrested after meeting an undercover FBI agent in a parking lot and agreeing to trade his stereo speakers for four grenades and a gun.
Shareef faces at least 30 years in prison and could be sentenced to life when sentenced March 14.
He pleaded guilty without any prearranged agreement with federal prosecutors. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Sergio Acosta said the government most likely would drop a second charge of arson because he already is facing a possible life sentence.
Before entering his plea, the softspoken Shareef said he disagreed with the government's claim that he intended to hurt people.
But Greg Fowler, assistant special agent in charge who heads the FBI's counter-terrorism task force in Chicago, said he believes otherwise.
"I think a reasonable person could conclude that if you throw a hand grenade into a crowded mall at Christmastime you will cause serious injuries," Fowler told reporters.
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