Shareef, a convert to the Nation of Islam, was steered by an undercover informant from wanting to "smoke a judge" to a more public plan to "disrupt Christmas.
On November 28, 2007, Shareef pleaded guilty to a specific charge of planning to use weapons of mass destruction against persons and property. Although he pleaded guilty, Shareef said he hadn't intended to hurt anyone and was "coerced into doing things and trapped into doing things." Federal investigators have not alleged Shareef had anything to do with any prominent terrorist group. Shareef faces 30 years to life in prison when he is sentenced March 14, 2008.
Shareef was sentenced to 35 years in prison on September 30, 2008 by U.S. District Judge David Coar. Coar said he didn't believe Shareef was evil, but said a substantial sentence was necessary given the gravity of what was planned and to protect the public.