Chicago bomb suspect set to appear at hearing in federal court

Chicago bomb suspect to appear in court

CHICAGO — A 22-year-old Lebanese immigrant accused of placing a backpack he thought contained a bomb near Chicago’s Wrigley Field this month is set to appear in federal court.

Sami Samir Hassoun was charged last week with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and an explosive device. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

Prosecutors allege Hassoun took a fake bomb given to him by undercover FBI agents and planted it in a trash bin near the home of the Chicago Cubs.

Hassoun’s attorney, Myron Auerbach, says his client isn’t a terrorist.

Prosecutors say Hassoun has no apparent links to extremists and that he appeared motivated in part by thinking he could profit from bombings.