Chicago bomb plot thwarted

By Doug Hagmann —— Bio and Archives September 20, 2010

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Sami Samir HASSOUN, 22, of the 4700 block of North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago was arrested by federal agents early Sunday morning on two felony counts, including one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and one count of attempted use of an explosive device.

HASSOUN, according to a law enforcement source close to this author, is a "devout Muslim and permanent legal resident from Lebanon." He appeared on the radar screen of federal authorities in early June, when he solicited assistance and advice from associates to "wage jihad on the streets of America." According to this law enforcement source, HASSOUN discussed plans that included, among other things, to use chemical or biological agents in populated areas of Chicago, poison Lake Michigan, detonate a bomb at Willis Tower (formerly named the Sears Tower), assassinate public officials including Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, and kill a large contingent of police officers and first responders. In June, HASSOUN was directed to an undercover FBI agent whom he believed was a "jihadist contact." HASSOUN "worked" with the undercover agent through August, at which point he decided to plant a powerful "anti-personnel" bomb in a crowded area near Wrigley Field last Saturday night. While under direct FBI surveillance, HASSOUN was provided with a realistic looking but inert bomb and given instructions on how to use it. Agents arrested HASSOUN as he placed the inert bomb inside of a trash container in an area filled with people and popular night spots near the corner of Eddy and Clark Street, about one block south of Wrigley Field. HASSOUN remains in custody and no other arrests are pending, stated this law enforcement source. If convicted on the felony charges, he faces up to five-(5) years in prison.