(FB)I Caught the Shareef

Striving for "violent jihad", Derrick Shareef (aka Talib Abu Salam Ibn Shareef) plotted to set off a series of explosions in a Rockford, Illinois mall (reportedly the CherryVale Mall) during the holiday season, according to the FBI.

The 22-year-old was arrested after trying to trade stereo equipment for hand grenades and a handgun (kids...) in a parking lot.

The Smoking Gun has a copy of an affadavit sworn by Special Agent Jared Ruddy, which details many of Shareef's own thoughts about how the attack would go down.  Among Shareef's troubles is a charge that he attempted "to use a weapon of mass destruction against persons or property within the United States..."  In the context of the affadavit, however, that terminology appears to refer to a threat threshold which allows for the obfuscation of certain details of the case, rather than implying a nuclear, biological, or chemical threat.  Even so, the two counts against Shareef could add up to $500,000 in fines and 2 lifetimes in the hoosegow.

Either way, from the information available, Shareef appears to be a small fry.  A dangerous and would-be murderous fry, but a small one and seemingly unaffiliated with any terror network.  Law enforcement officials described Shareef as having "ideas and desires, but no means" to carry out his jihadi dreams.

Elsewhere:  Allah (tracking updates), Mary Katharine, Ace, Stop the ACLU, Riehl World View, Michelle Malkin, Confederate Yankee

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Update:  In the tradition of all great jihadis, Shareef was good enough to record a martyrdom video for us.  Turns out his beef was with non-Islamic unbelievers.  Go figure.

This may be my last will and testament, the last words that I have spoken to those who know me, to those who do not know me. My name is Talib Abu Salam Ibn Shareef. I am 22 years of age. I am from America, and this tape is to let you guys know, who disbelieve in Allah, to let the enemies of Islam know, and to let the Muslims alike know that the time for jihad is now. . . . Be strong, oh Mujahideen. Be strong oh brothers who want to fight for jihad. . . . This is a warning to those who disbelieve, that we are here for you, and I am ready to give my life. . . . May Allah protect me on this mission we conduct. . . . So do not cry, do not mourn for me. Do not believe what the kafir [infidel] will say about me when you read in the newspapers and when you see the television articles about me. Do not believe this. Understand that your son is a strong man. . . who believes and fears his Lord to the degree that he will give his life.”

Update:  Maybe Shareef has some affiliations after all.