Mohammed Hamzah Khan was arrested by FBI agents at O'Hare airport in Chicago, charged with attempting to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). That organization, sometimes known as ISIL, is accused by the United States of conducting terrorist activities in Syria and Iraq.
The 19-year-old was allegedly boarding an aircraft to join the militant organization when he was taken into custody by the Chicago FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. On Sept. 26, 2014, a round trip ticket was purchased for Khan, due to bring him from Chicago to Turkey, on a one-week journey. He was set to fly to Vienna, in order to connect to a flight carrying him to Istanbul, Turkey.
There were no incidents during his apprehension, and the teenager was charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization. He appeared in U.S. District Court, headed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Cox on October 6, and a detention hearing was set for October 9.
Kahn was observed coming through airport security on the afternoon of October 4, resided in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and a search of his residence in the southwestern suburb of Chicago was carried out. Authorities found numerous documents in his home supporting the goals and actions of the militant group, according to the affidavit in the case.
"Khan was initially approached by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and was later interviewed later by FBI agents at the airport," the Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, reports.
Matthew Hiller, the federal prosecutor in the case, would not reveal to the court how officials learned of Khan's intentions to join the militant organization.
Documents showing Khan was planning to save $4,000 for a ticket to Istanbul, plus money for lodging, food and bus trips to the Syrian border were found where the young man lived with his parents and siblings. A search of an automobile owned by Khan's father, but regularly used by the defendant, revealed notebooks containing words and symbols related to ISIS.
A letter to his parents expressed distress at being forced to pay taxes that support war against some Muslim groups, and urged them to join him in the group.
"First and foremost, please make sure to not tell the authorities, for if this were to happen it will jeopardize not only the safety of us but our family as well," the letter read, according to USA Today.
While being interviewed at the airport, Khan allegedly admitted to plans to meet ISIS member to assist the group on some level.
Attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
