Deputies with Madison county Sheriff’s Office went to Cook’s home on the 1300 block of Sir Galahad Lane in Godfrey on August 24. Madison County state’s attorney Tom Gibbons wouldn’t give the locations of any planned attacks, but said police departments and individuals at those locations were notified after authorities first learned of the threat. They did say it was three or four locations in Madison County.
Advertisement
While there, the deputies discovered evidence linking Cook to possible regional terrorist threats.
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) – Authorities arrested an 18-year-old southern IL man who they allege had communicated with an unspecified terrorist group about a plan to an attack on at least one area location.
Keaun Cook, 18, was arrested for supplying materials to support terrorism and making a terrorist threat.
Cook had communicated with an unspecified terrorist group about a plan for at least one attack, according to law enforcement officials. Cook is held at the Madison County jail on $150,000 bond. “Thanks to the individuals who alerted authorities of the actions of this man, and the serious response executed by Madison County Sheriff’s Office, a potentially chaotic and deadly event in the area has been prevented”.
Lakin said it is likely that Cook meant to carry out the attacks alone.
Cook’s grandmother, Debra Thomas, hand-delivered two letters to The (Alton) Telegraph (http://bit.ly/2c7oq93 ) on Thursday. “Had I know [SIC] by me trying to get help for him would cost him to be in jail, I would never call the police”. Federal authorities are assisting Madison County in the ongoing investigation.
Advertisement
Both of the charges against Cook are felonies.
