CHICAGO _ The reputed leader of a west suburban street gang has been charged in federal court with directing narcotics proceeds to the Islamic State and plotting to travel overseas to fight with the terrorist group.
Jason Brown, 37, of Lombard, was accused in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.
Brown, who also goes by the name Abdul Ja'Me, allegedly provided $500 in cash to an individual on three separate occasions this year, with the understanding that the money would be wired to an ISIS soldier engaged in active combat in Syria, according to the complaint unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Unbeknownst to Brown, the individual was secretly cooperating with law enforcement and the purported ISIS fighter was actually an undercover agent, the complaint said.
Brown, the reputed leader of the Bellwood-based AHK street gang, was arrested Thursday. A detention hearing is set for next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sunil Harjani.
Six other alleged AHK members or associates were also arrested Thursday on federal drug charges, and an arrest warrant was issued for a seventh suspected member. As part of the investigation, law enforcement executed search warrants at numerous locations, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
