A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Chicago on charges of extortion following allegations of a violent encounter with a local restaurateur. The indictment accuses Jawad Fakroune, also known under the aliases "Angelino Escobar" or "Anjelino Escobar," 45, of Morocco, as the perpetrator behind the threats and assault in an attempt to obtain a sum of money he claims he's owed.
According to court documents, Fakroune had loaned approximately $405,000 between 2023 and 2024 to the restaurateur to open a new dining establishment in Lincoln Park. Despite having made repayments on the loan, a dispute erupted over the remaining balance in November 2024. Found in a criminal complaint, threatening the restaurateur, Fakroune allegedly visited the restaurant on the evening of November 25, 2024, assaulted, and delivered threats to not just the restaurateur but also to their family members.
The case, which is brought forward by the Acting United States Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois, as well as officials from the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation's Chicago Field Office, sets the arraignment for February 5, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah. The Justice Department's announcement details the charge, ensuing from when Fakroune demanded $1.5 million and became violent.
