Man In Islamic State Case Up For Sentencing In Chicago

Attorney Thomas Durkin, left, talks with Shafi, and Zarine Khan, parents of Mohammed Hamzah Khan
Attorney Thomas Durkin, left, talks with Shafi, and Zarine Khan, parents of Mohammed Hamzah Khan, after a federal magistrate judge put off ruling on whether the 19-year-old Khan, accused of trying to join Islamic State militants in Syria, should stay behind bars pending trial in October 2014, in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press
Attorney Thomas Durkin, left, talks with Shafi, and Zarine Khan, parents of Mohammed Hamzah Khan
Attorney Thomas Durkin, left, talks with Shafi, and Zarine Khan, parents of Mohammed Hamzah Khan, after a federal magistrate judge put off ruling on whether the 19-year-old Khan, accused of trying to join Islamic State militants in Syria, should stay behind bars pending trial in October 2014, in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

Man In Islamic State Case Up For Sentencing In Chicago

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CHICAGO (AP) — A 21-year-old from suburban Chicago whose mother denounced Islamic State is being sentenced in federal court for trying to travel to join IS militants.

Mohammed Hamzah Khan faces a maximum 15-year sentence for seeking to provide material support to terrorists when sentenced Friday in Chicago.

He was arrested attempting to board at a Chicago airport bound for Syria. Prosecutors say two younger siblings were with him but weren’t charged.

Zarine Khan told reporters last year that IS brainwashed youths via social media and declared to IS leaders: “Leave our children alone!”

Prosecutors cite Khan’s cooperation identifying IS recruiters in requesting a reduced 5-year sentence. Defense lawyer Thomas Durkin wants 3 years sentence. With time served, that could mean his release next year. Durkin says Khan will enter college once freed.