Bolingbrook Teen Indicted on Terrorism Charge

Mohammed Hamzah Khan. Credit: Facebook

A federal grand jury formally indicted a Bolingbrook teenager on a terrorism charge late Thursday. Mohammed Hamzah Khan is accused of plotting to travel to Istanbul, Turkey to join Islamic terrorist group ISIS.

The grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging the 19-year-old with one count of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

Kahn has been held without bond since he was arrested in early October at O’Hare International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Vienna, Austria with his younger siblings,the Chicago Tribune reported.

Prosecutors alleged that Khan’s 17-year-old sister and 16-year-old brother had accompanied him to the airport and ”wanted to wage violent jihad with the Islamic state.” The teens were questioned by the FBI, according to the Tribune, but not charged.

• Bolingbrook Teen’s Brother, Sister Also Wanted to Join ISIS: Prosecutors

U.S Magistrate Judge Susan Cox denied bond for the teen, who is a U.S. citizen, on the grounds that he poses a danger to the community and is a flight risk.

Court documents allege that a search of Khan’s Bolingbrook home yielded notebooks outlining his plans to support the terrorist group. The teen also allegedly told FBI agents that he met a person online who was to provide him with an ISIS contact when he arrived in Istbanbul. According to a complaint filed against Khan in federal court, a letter from the teen to his parents urged them not to tell authorities.

• American Arrested as He Tried to Leave Country to Fight for ISIS: Feds

Among documents found during a search of Khan’s Bolingbrook home was a page in a notebook allegedly saying, in Arabic, “Islamic State in Iraq and Levant. Here to stay. We are the lions of war ...,” according to the complaint filed against the teen. Another page with drawing of what appeared to be an armed fighter with the ISL flag behind him and the words, “Come to jihad,” prosecutors allege.

A letter allegedly left for Khan’s parents told them “FIRST and FOREMOST, PLEASE MAKE SURE NOT TO TELL THE AUTHORITIES,” and stated that he had an “obligation to ‘migrate’ to the ‘Islamic state,’” and that he was upset that he was obligated to pay taxes to the U.S. “that would be used to kill his ’Muslim brothers and sisters,’” the complaint alleges.

Khan faces up to 15 years in prison if he’s convicted.