Man Who Plotted Cherry Vale Mall Terror Attack Gets 35 Years

Twenty-four old Derrick Shareef has been sentenced to 35 years for plotting to put hand grenades in garbage cans at Cherryvale Mall at Christmas time. Bob Holley with the FBI Counter-Terrorism Ops said,”35 years on a guy that had the intent to hurt people – we’re happy with this sentence.” But Shareef told the court quote, “My intention was to bring victory to Islam, not to hurt people”.

His attorney argued quote,”the punishment is supposed to fit the crime, and in this case, no one was hurt”. The defense also described Shareef as quote,”An impressionable young man who fell under the sway of an informant who suggest the underlying events in this case.”

Shareef had planned to set off several grenades at the CherryVale Shopping Mall, near the junction of Interstate 90 and Interstate 39 on the east side of Rockford, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. The mall, which has approximately 130 retail stores, is owned by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., based in Chattanooga, Tenn. The mall was among several potential targets that Shareef allegedly discussed during the course of the investigation – the others were primarily local government facilities. At all times Shareef allegedly was acting on his plan between Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 2006, Shareef was in contact with an acquaintance, who unbeknownst to him was cooperating with the FBI, and an undercover agent who was posing as the cooperating individual’s friend.

Sergio Acosta, the Assistant U.S. Attorney says,”It’s not typical in terms of some of the other cases we do, but I know there was nothing inappropriate done in this case, the informant and agents acted professionally and responsibly in this investigation.” Inside the courtroom Judge David Coar said, “if it wasn’t for the governments intervention, he believes this terrorist attack would have happened, and that’s why the sentence had to be tough.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sergio Acosta said, “35 years is a pretty big hit.. that should act as a deterrent to anybody out there who’s contemplating any type of act like this.” Acosta believes justice was served today.

Shareef also told the judge, he thinks his former roommate in Arizona, Hassan Abujihaad was the true target of this investigation. Abujihaad is accused of passing U.S. Military secrets to terrorists. Shareef insist his relationship with Abujihaad was brotherly, and there was never talk of terror plots. Shareef mom was present today, as she has been for all the hearings. After Shareef was sentenced and was heading back to jail, he smiled at his mother and gave her a “peace” sign. She, however did not want to comment today.