Delay in case against Bolingbrook man who planned to join ISIS

The federal case against a Bolingbrook teen who pleaded guilty to attempting to fly to Turkey to join the Islamic State is facing a minor delay as federal investigators continue to gauge his cooperation with their probe.

Mohammed Hamzah Khan's court date, originally scheduled for Thursday morning, has been continued to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 16. Judge John Tharp Jr. might set a sentencing date at that time.

Khan, now 20, pleaded guilty on Oct. 29 to attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

The plea agreement states prosecutors will seek a five-year sentence if Khan cooperates with investigators. Otherwise, his sentence could be as long as 15 years.

Conditions of the agreement state Khan would be barred from communicating with nonrelatives outside the U.S. and must allow periodic searches of his computers and smartphones for at least 7½ years. The agreement also calls for Khan to receive "psychological and violent extremism counseling."

According to his January indictment, between February and Oct. 4, 2014, Khan attempted to provide material support and resources, specifically personnel, to the Islamic State. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Khan has been held without bail since his Oct. 4, 2014, arrest at O'Hare International Airport as he and his 17-year-old sister and 16-year-old brother attempted to board a plane to Austria. From there, they were planning to fly to Turkey, authorities said.

Investigators said Khan, who was born in the suburbs to Indian parents, left a letter in his bedroom expressing disgust with Western society. His two siblings left similar letters. In their letters, all three urged their parents not to call police.

On the day of his arrest, Khan went to O'Hare with his siblings and three round-trip tickets to Turkey that he had purchased for $2,600.

After Khan arrived at the airport, law enforcement agents watched him pass through the security screening checkpoint at the international terminal. He initially was approached by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and then was interviewed for three hours by FBI agents at the airport, according to a federal complaint.

Khan's siblings also were detained. The teens gave conflicting stories about why they were traveling to Turkey. They have not been charged in the case.