Bolingbrook man who allegedly tried to join ISIS will remain in jail while awaiting trial

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mohammedh Hamzah Khan, the 19-year-old Bolingbrook man arrested in October for allegedly attempting to join ISIS, was denied bond by a federal judge Monday. Khan's defense attorney was looking to have him released into his parents' custody, but the judge deemed him a flight risk and said he might pose a danger to others.

Khan was arrested in October as he and his siblings, a 16-year-old brother and 17-year-old sister, attempted to board a flight to Turkey at O'Hare International Airport. According to federal prosecutors, all three intended to join the ISIS terrorist group.

The detention hearing was the first time the public learned about the presence of Khan's younger siblings at the airport.

The family's neighbors expressed disbelief about the revelation.

"They're good people," said neighbor Steve Moore. "The father is very nice. I can't say enough nice things about him. I feel bad for the parents, especially if they had nothing to do with this. It's just, teenage minds are easily influenced."

Prosecutors have not charged the underage siblings, but they say that all three wrote goodbye letters to their parents. Khan's letter was released in court and referred to the American fight against ISIS, saying in part, "I simply cannot sit here and let my brothers and sisters get killed with my own hard earned money."

He continued, writing, "I will probably never see you again," "Don't worry, we will keep in touch," and finally, "Don't call the cops."

"They are Americans and they are kids," says Khan's defense attorney, Tom Durkin. "Maybe somewhat misguided, who knows, but they are Americans."

Durkin said the charges against Khan, which include accusations of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization, are baseless.

"I think it's a bogus case," Durkin said. "If kids are being coerced and brainwashed, that's not sufficient mental intent to provide material support."

Also released in court were copies of Khan's plane tickets, drawings he'd made of guns and the ISIS flag, and his datebook, which featured an ISIS flag drawn on the day of the siblings' intended departure.

Khan's siblings were present in court, along with his parents, in a show of support, but neither has been identified as they are minors. It does not appear at this time that Khan's siblings will be charged with a crime.